PEC report: 7 percent increase in the number of journalists killed in 6 months

Geneva, 2 July (PEC) -The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) has registered a 7 percent increase in the number of journalists killed from January to June in 24 countries, the number has gone up to 71 journalists killed. This increase is related to the intense fighting in Middle East.

At least 24 journalists were killed in targeted terrorist acts (mostly in France, Libya and Iraq) and around 17 accidentally covering fighting (in Yemen, Libya, Iraq, Syria, South Sudan and Ukraine). Near 30 journalists were murdered in criminal acts outside war zones (especially in Latin America, Philippines and India).

The Middle East and North Africa are the deadliest regions for media work with 23 journalists killed. Four countries in this region are the deadliest: Libya 8, Yemen 6, Iraq 6 and Syria 2 with one in Gaza. The developments for media in Libya and Yemen are new this year as compared to last year, while less and less journalists are taking risk to cover Syria, extremely dangerous, and which became a prohibited area.

Latin America follows the Middle East with 17 journalists killed in seven countries. Three countries of Central America are most affected by the violence against the media: Mexico witnessed the killing of 4 journalists, Honduras 3 and Guatemala 3. Criminal acts targeted journalists in Brazil (3 killed), Colombia 2, Paraguay 1. In the Dominican Republic another journalist was killed.

Europe comes in third place with 13 killed. Never before has Europe lost so many journalists since the war in ex-Yugoslavia during the 90s. 8 journalists killed during the attack on Charlie Hebdo in Paris, and another 4 in Ukraine explain this deterioration, with one journalist killed in an isolated crime in Poland.

Africa is in fourth place with 9 journalists killed mainly due to the war in South Sudan where 6 journalists were killed, 5 of them ambushed to death together, an unprecedented development. One was killed in Somalia, one in Kenya and one in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Asia follows with nine killed due to the continued violence in the Philippines 3, India 2, Pakistan 2, Afghanistan 1 with an isolated case in Indonesia.

***29.06.2015. Statement delivered by the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) at the HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL - 29th session - on the report of the Commission of Inquiry on Gaza: The PEC urges both sides to carry out swift, credible and independent investigations(Arabic below)

General Assembly- Human Rights Council - 29th session

Item 7 – Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Commission of Inquiry on the 2014 Gaza conflict

Mr President,

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) commends the Independent Commission of Inquiry for its report.

During the summer of 2014, Tyler Hicks, a photojournalist for The New York Times, was sitting in his hotel room in Gaza when he heard an explosion. He looked out the window and saw the boys. He grabbed his helmet, flak jacket, and cameras, and ran toward the beach. Not knowing whether the Israeli gunner would strike again, he strode into the sand and captured the scene: four young boys, cousins, had been killed by Israeli shelling. Other journalists followed and were eyewitnesses to the killing of the four children.

On June 12, an Israeli military tribunal has closed the case involving the killing. The Military Advocate General found that the attack in question was in line with Israeli domestic law and international law requirements. The Military Advocate General ordered that the investigation file be closed without any further legal proceedings – criminal or disciplinary – to be taken against those involved in the incident.

The PEC expresses its deep disappointment. Independent journalists were direct witnesses. In all conflicts, there are collateral damages. It is inevitable. But there is no excuse. The responsible for violating IHL and human rights must be prosecuted in any conflict, in any country.

Israel’s offensive in Gaza last summer was longer and deadlier than any previous single operation, according to the report of the Commission of Inquiry. Media workers paid a heavy toll in the conflict. Gaza was last year the second deadliest spot after Syria for journalists. More than a dozen journalists were killed.

The PEC urges both sides to carry out swift, credible and independent investigations.

***24.06.2015. Statement delivered by the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) at the HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL - 29th session: The PEC is very concerned that the space for free journalism is decreasing because of tensions in the whole region. PEC urges the members of the Human Rights Council to intervene by pressing for all parties to the conflict in Yemen to refrain from any attack on media organizations and to preserve independent reporting on the current crisis not only in the country but also outside, especially in neighboring countries(Arabic below)

General AssemblyHuman Rights Council29th session

Item 4 – Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention

General Debate

Mr President,

Some days ago, the representatives of all parties in Yemen were in Geneva for peace talks. No agreement has been reached so far. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) is very worried by the conditions of work of journalists in the war-torn country.

The PEC is concerned that the space for free journalism is decreasing because of tensions in the whole region. Last week in Geneva we were witnesses of unacceptable pressures to silence speakers at a press conference.

We remind the members of the Human Rights Council of Resolution (A/HRC/27/L7)on safety of journalists adopted last September which urges States to promote a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work independently and without undue interference, and to prevent attacks against media workers.

Eight journalists and media staff have been killed in Yemen since the start of 2015 by both sides. In addition, at least 12 journalists are currently being held hostage and their lives are feared to be in danger, according to our sources.

Mohammed Rajah Shamsan, a reporter for Yemen Today TVand three of his colleagues, were killed in an air strike by the Saudi-led coalition in April. Two other reporters, Abdullah Kabil of Yemen Shabab TV and Yousef Alaizry ofShuhail TV, abducted by the Houthi group on 20 May, were killed during a bombardment.

These attacks and threats have dire consequences for the security of journalists. In accordance with Resolution (A/HRC/27/L7), we urge the members of the Human Rights Council to intervene by pressing for all parties to the conflict in Yemen to refrain from any attack on media organizations and to preserve independent reporting on the current crisis not only in the country but also outside, especially in neighboring countries.

***23.06.2015. SYRIA. Statement delivered by the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) at the HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL - 29th session: Fewer journalists are covering the war - The COI reports are more necessary than ever to prevent the victims are forgotten. PEC hopes that impunity will not prevail and that a tribunal will in the near future judge all those responsible for crimes and atrocities committed

General AssemblyHuman Rights Council29th session

Item 4 – Human Rights situations that require the Council’s attention

Interactive Dialogue with the Commission of inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic

Mr President,

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) commends the Independent international commission of inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic for its oral update.

Syria has been the most deadly country for journalists for three consecutive years. Many have been abducted and are still missing.

We pay tribute to the American journalist Austin Tice, apparently detained since more than 1040 days, and calls for his immediate release while our thoughts remain with him in his plight and suffering. Despite numerous appeals for his release, Mazen Darwish is still arbitrarily detained by the Syrian authorities.

The conflict has entered a new phase. Fewer journalists are covering the war, because it is too dangerous. The war in Syria has disappeared from the front pages of the newspapers. Public opinion sees no more footage on their screens. There are less victims this year among journalists in Syria. Regrettably, this is not a good sign.

A large part of the country is under the control of the group ISIL (Islamic State in the Levant) and is inaccessible to the media and the humanitarian workers.

In Geneva, the UN Special Envoy met with numerous representatives of the Syrian society and other concerned countries. The big powers are still hoping that a military solution is possible. The rivalry between regional powers has extended to other parts of the Middle East.

We thank the Commission of inquiry for its invaluable work. Your reports are more necessary than ever to prevent the victims are forgotten. We hope that impunity will not prevail and that a tribunal will in the near future judge all those responsible for crimes and atrocities committed.

I thank you for your attention.23 June 2015

***17.06.2015.Human Rights Council: the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) welcomes the first report of the new UN Rapporteur on freedom of expression David Kaye, calls for an independent expert on freedom of the press

Geneva, June 17 (PEC) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) congratulates David Kaye the new UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression. The PEC will be more than happy to cooperate with him during his mandate.

The Special Rapporteur presented on June 17 to the Human Rights Council his first report on the use of encryption and anonymity in the digital age (A/HRC/29/32). The report urges countries to ensure that people are free to protect the privacy of digital communications by using strong encryption and anonymity tools.

The situation of the freedom of expression is very critical in many countries. The new means of communication have given every individual new opportunities to express himself. At the same time those new means of communication have given to governments and others abilities for intrusive surveillance. Some countries use these opportunities to control the activities of the civil society and to turn free information into a war propaganda.

The Human Rights Council adopted last year by consensus a new resolution of the safety of journalists (A/HRC/27/L7). This is a welcome step. But there is a need to improve the reporting mechanisms in order to implement the best practices recommended in the resolution adopted last year, including on the Internet for online media.

The PEC calls upon the Special Rapporteur to pay special attention to the situations of conflict in which journalists are attacked by both sides, and where the media is not free to report.

Since January this year until the end of May, at least 65 journalists have been killed, an increase of 22% compared to last year.

The mandate of the Special Rapporteur is very broad. It is a huge task to monitor freedom of expression for 7 billion people in 192 countries around the world.

The PEC calls for the UN to create a new mechanism to report specifically on these situations of conflict and best practices to address in particular the challenge of impunity, either by appointing an independent expert on freedom of the press, or a special unit at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

***13.06.2015.Azerbaijan: PEC welcomes the release of opposition journalist Emin Huseynov who had been sheltering for 10 months at the Swiss Embassy in Baku, greets his arrival in Switzerland, deplores that seven other journalists remain behind the bars

Geneva, 13 June (PEC) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) welcomes the decision of the Azerbaijani government to permit Emin Huseynov’s safe departure from Azerbaijan today, timed with the launch of the inaugural European Games in Baku and on the eve of the 29th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Huseynov, who took refuge in the Swiss Embassy in Baku last August fearing arrest, has been a courageous proponent of media freedom as the Director of the Azerbaijani Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety.

Switzerland has flown out of Azerbaijan the opposition journalist who had been sheltering for 10 months at its embassy in Baku, a day after the inaugural European Games opened in the tightly-controlled country.

Emin Huseynov flew out of Azerbaijan on the plane of Switzerland's Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter, who attended the Euro Games ceremony in Baku late on Friday, the swiss federal department of foreign affairs said.

His departure came after months of negotiations with the Azerbaijani authorities, department spokesman Jean-Marc Crevoisier told the ATS news agency. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) congratulates the swiss diplomats for their successful efforts.

The 35-year-old journalist and rights activist arrived in Bern and has until September to decide whether he wants to apply for asylum in Switzerland, Crevoisier was quoted as saying.

A fierce critic of authoritarian President Ilham Aliyev's human rights record, Huseynov has been sheltering at the Swiss embassy in Baku since August 18, 2014 when he evaded Azerbaijani police to enter the building fearing for his life.

At the time, the activist had been sought by prosecutors on charges of "illegal entrepreneurship and tax evasion."

Switzerland allowed him to remain at its embassy for "humanitarian reasons.”

According to Crevoisier, Huseynov was allowed to leave the country following "numerous conversations" between the Swiss foreign minister and Azeri officials.

Hüseynov’s presence in the Swiss embassy was revealed in a report by the Swiss public television in February.

Human rights groups accuse Aliyev's government of consistently using spurious charges to jail regime critics and of stepping up a campaign to stifle opposition since his election for a third term in 2013.

The PEC AWARD 2015 sponsored by the City of Geneva honors the fallen journalists in Ukraine and the plight of freedom of the press there. The PEC board decided to award the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Ms Dunja Mijatović (right) for her first class mediation role in the Ukrainian crisis and her exceptional personal commitment for the promotion of freedom of information in the whole region, explained PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen (left).

The PEC board selected also the non-governmental organization Information Press Center in Kiev, a member of the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN), for the dedication and courage of its members which actively defended the freedom of the media in difficult circumstances especially in Crimea.Her Executive Director Liudmyla Zlobina (second from right) received the Award sponsored by the city of Geneva represented by her mayor Esther Alder (right) (photos pec)

(French, Ukrainian and Russian versions after English) - see our special page PEC AWARD for more info, speeches

Geneva, 4 June (PEC) The PEC AWARD 2015 sponsored by the City of Geneva honors this year the fallen journalists in Ukraine and the plight of freedom of the press there. The annual award goes to Ms Dunja Mijatović, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, and Ms Liudmyla Zlobina, director of the Information Press Center in Kiev and of the Crimean Center for Investigative Reporting, announced the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) Thursday.

The PEC board decided to award Ms Dunja Mijatović for her first class mediation role in the Ukrainian crisis and her exceptional personal commitment for the promotion of freedom of information in the whole region, explained PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen.

The PEC board selected also the non-governmental organization Information Press Center in Kiev, a member of the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN), for the dedication and courage of its members which actively defended the freedom of the media in extremely difficult circumstances especially in Crimea.

Since the start of the crisis in Ukraine in January 2014, 13 journalists have been killed in this country, on both sides. Four of them were Russian journalists last year.

An Ukrainian pilot Nadya Savchenko is detained in Russia, charged with involvement in a mortar attack in which last year two Russian journalists were killed near Luhansk. The PEC calls today for a humanitarian gesture.

PEC calls for independent, thorough and quick enquiries on all murders of journalists in order to prosecute those responsible.

“The crisis in Ukraine is very serious and we need factual, balanced and impartial information to understand the situation. The City of Geneva is pleased to support the PEC Award 2015, which rewards the work of two courageous women committed to the defense of the freedom of the press and the freedom of expression in the region”, said the mayor of Geneva Esther Alder.

False information must be countered

“The media freedom situation in Ukraine is very complex. The main media freedom issue in this conflict is journalists’ safety; journalists are being threatened, intimidated and attacked just for doing their job" said Ms Dunja Mijatović receiving the PEC prize at the Swiss Press Club in Geneva.

“False and misleading information must be countered and fought with truthful and factual information, that must the basis encountering and addressing propaganda”, she added.

“I applaud the Press Emblem Campaign and the city of Geneva for organizing this important and timely event and for putting focus on journalists’ safety in these challenging times”, stressed Ms Mijatović.

Forced to leave their home

“Let me first thank the Press Emblem Campaign and the Сity of Geneva for the recognition of our work. It is extremely important to know that Switzerland supports Ukrainian journalists”, said Liudmyla Zlobina, Center’s Executive Director.

“Unfortunately, the need for such support objectively exists. Many Ukrainian journalists from the Crimea and Donbas were forced to leave their homes for other parts of the country to save their lives or freedom. In spite of all the threats, other journalists continue to work heroically in these regions, including journalists from our organization”, she added.

New horizons of cooperation

“Today is an important day that marks the good effort of the PEC to mobilize world opinion towards concrete legal steps to protect journalists in conflict zones and dangerous situations. What marks the importance of the day is that the Ville de Genève is sponsoring the PEC award ceremony”, said PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi in a video message from Cairo.

“The award opening this year to the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media marks the importance of new horizons of cooperation. Congratulations to the Kiev Center, congratulations to the Representative”, she added.

According to the PEC figures, the situation on the ground is not improving: 65 journalists have been killed around the world since January this year in 5 months. This is a sharp increase of 22% compared to the same period last year.

The PEC Prize is given annually in Geneva by the PEC committee to reward a person or an organization who worked for the protection of journalists and the freedom of the press during the past year.

The Award was given in 2014 to the Swiss Foundation Hirondelle for its role in Central African Republic; in 2013 to Media Cartoonist from Honduras, Allan McDonald and Ileana Alamilla, Director of the Centre for Information on Guatemala, Cerigua, the Austrian and Swiss Ambassadors to the UN in Geneva; in 2012 to the representative of the Syrian Democrats Dr Tawfik Chamaa and in absentia the director of the Syrian Center for media and freedom of expression (SCM) Mazen Darwish; in 2011 to thePresident of the Tunisian syndicate of journalists Neji Bghouri, to Ahmed Abdelaziz, representing the bloggers of the revolution of Egypt and to Khaled Saleh, on behalf of the NGO Libyan Human Rights Solidarity (LHRS); in 2010 to the families of the 32 slain journalists in the 23 November 2009 Maguindanao massacre in the Philippines, and earmarked to the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) fund; in 2009 to the Palestinian Center for development and media freedom (MADA) and the first President of the Human Rights Council and Ambassador of Mexico to the UN in Geneva.

***28.05.2015. UNITED NATIONS. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) welcomes the unanimous adoption of resolution 2222 on the protection of journalists by the UN Security Council(Arabic below).

Geneva/New York, 28 May (PEC) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) welcomes the unanimous adoption of resolution 2222 on the protection of journalists in situations of conflict by the UN Security Council. The resolution reflects in particular the need to combat impunity for attacks and violence against journalists, to enhance reporting on violence against journalists and to improve international coordination to strengthen the protection of journalists.

PEC president Hedayat Abdel Nabi expressed hope that resolution 2222 will be implemented in letter and spirit and the media workers would see concrete measures in this regard.

Resolution 2222 is the second that the Security Council has adopted on this crucial subject since resolution 1738 in December 2006. The PEC thanks the president of the SC Lithuania for organizing the meeting and congratulates Christophe Deloire from Reporters without borders and Mariane Pearl, the widow of Daniel Pearl, for addressing the SC.

Journalists killed: an increase of 22%

The adoption of this resolution by the highest organ of the United Nations is a historic milestone. The awareness of the extent of the problem is steadily progressing among Member States, but the situation on the ground is not improving, stressed PEC Secretary General Blaise Lempen.

According to the PEC figures, since January, 65 journalists have been killed around the world against 53 for the same period last year. This is a sharp increase of 22% in 5 months.

PEC reminds that the Geneva based NGO supports the adoption of a legally-binding international agreement on the protection of journalists in conflict zones to implement the UN resolutions on the ground and to fight impunity.Among other things, the resolution 2222 condemns the prevailing impunity for attacks against journalists and in this regard urges Member States to take appropriate steps to ensure accountability.

It also calls for the immediate release of journalists who have been kidnapped or taken as hostages, and for Member States to ensure a safe environment for journalists in accordance with international obligations.

Furthermore, it encourages greater coordination between regional and sub-regional organizations in areas such as technical assistance and capacity-building to ensure the safety of journalists and the sharing of expertise and good practices that can enhance implementation of relevant Council resolutions.

The resolution affirms that “the work of a free, independent and impartial media constitutes one of the essential foundations of a democratic society, and thereby can contribute to the protection of civilians”.

It calls on states to fulfill their obligations as regards the protection of journalists during armed conflicts and makes it a requirement for UN peacekeeping operations to provide regular reports on the safety of journalists.

***30.04.2015. World Press Freedom Day 2015 - PEC alarmed: the safety of journalists in many countries has deteriorated

(French, Spanish and Arabic after English)

Read also on page OTHER NEWS (click left): Under Threat: Journalism has never been more dangerous according to major new INSI report on media safety

Geneva, April 30 (PEC) – The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) marking World Press Freedom Day next Sunday is alarmed by the deteriorating security situation of journalists in many countries. New threats like targeted assassinations by terrorists groups and cyber-attacks against media installations have emerged.

Since the beginning of the year, in 4 months, 51 journalists were killed in 20 countries against 41 during the same period last year, an increase of 24%, with more than 3 journalists a week, according to the PEC figures. While the tally in one year from May 2014 to April 2015 has risen to 148 journalists killed.

PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen said that the situation is not improving because of two main reasons: first, the intensification of many conflicts especially in the Middle East (Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya), and also in Ukraine; secondly, armed groups as well as terrorists resort to deliberate criminal violence targeting media.

Out of the 51 victims, more than one third, 21 were killed by Islamist extremists, among them 8 gunned down at Charlie Hebdo in Paris on 7 January.

Terrorist groups were able to attack media installations by cyber-attacks as that of TV5 Monde, an entirely new development.

Lempen added that the attacks against Charlie Hebdo and TV5 show that conflicts in the Middle East could extend to the democratic West and endanger freedom of the press all over the world.

Libya most dangerous country

The Middle East remains the region with the highest casualties: 17 killed. In the region, Libya has become this year the most dangerous country where 8 journalists were killed, Yemen follows with 4 killed.

The situation in Central America remains bad: 6 journalists were killed in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras since the beginning of the year out of which 3 were targeted in Guatemala.

The situation in Ukraine is also preoccupying with 4 journalists killed out of which three were targeted killings.

PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi noted that progress has been achieved on the level of discussions towards the protection of journalists but expressed her dismay that no concrete action has developed up to date. Abdel Nabi renewed the PEC call to encourage UN member states to move towards concrete decisions to fight impunity and actions on mechanisms of enquiry, accountability, monitoring and follow-up.

***27.04.2015. LIBYA: PEC is deeply shocked by the discovery of the bodies of four libyan journalists and one egyptian photographer - Libya has become the most dangerous country this year with 8 journalists killed

Geneva, April 27 (PEC) Islamic State militants have slit the throats of five journalists working for a Libyan TV station in the eastern part of the country, an army commander said on Monday, according to Reuters. The reporters had been missing since August, when they left the eastern city of Tobruk after covering the inauguration of the country's elected parliament to travel to Benghazi. Their route took them through Derna, a militant Islamist hotspot.

Faraj al-Barassi, a district army commander in eastern Libya, said militants loyal to Islamic State were responsible for killing the journalists, whose bodies were found outside the eastern city of Bayda. He did not say when the five journalists were believed to have been killed.

The reporters - four Libyans and one Egyptian - had been working for Barqa TV, an eastern television supporting federalism for eastern Libya.

Militants loyal to Islamic State have exploited a security vacuum in Libya, where two governments and parliaments allied to host of armed groups are fighting each other on several fronts four years after the ousting of Muammar Gaddafi. Islamic State, the group which has seized parts of Syria and Iraq, has claimed responsibility for the killing of 30 Ethiopian and 21 Egyptian Christians as well as an attack on a Tripoli hotel, embassies and oilfields.

According to PEC figures, Libya has become the most dangerous country for this year. Eight journalists have been killed in this country. Two days ago, Muftah al-Qatrani, director of Al-Anwar, was found shot in the head in his Benghazi office. Two Tunisian journalists have been killed by Islamic militants at the beginning of the year.

***16.04.2015. PEC strongly condemns the killing of an Ukrainian journalist

He was shot dead on Thursday in Kiev by two masked gunmen, the interior ministry said, a day after a former lawmaker loyal to ousted President Viktor Yanukovich, Oleh Kalashnikov was also killed. Oles Buzina was until March the editor-in-chief of Segodnya newspaper.

The PEC stressed that whatever the motivations are journalists must be spared from being targeted because of political rivalries.

Oles Buzina is the 39th journalist killed around the world since the beginning of 2015.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a televised call-in show, referred specifically to Buzina's death saying it had been politically motivated.

Anton Herashchenko, an adviser to the Ukrainian interior minister, said in a Facebook post that Buzyna - like Kalashnikov - was a key witness in a criminal case related to pro-Russian activists who in early 2014 attacked the pro-Western protests on Kiev's main square. The protests eventually led to the ouster of the Kremlin-friendly Yanukovich, who fled the country in February last year.

The PEC calls for a quick, transparent, independent and thorough investigation by the Ukrainian authorities of this targeted killing.

The PEC will devote its annual Award for the Protection of Journalists in June to the media coverage of the crisis in Ukraine.

Oles Buzina is the 12th journalist killed in Ukraine since the start of the civil unrest in 2014 and the third this year.

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) congratulates Christian Campiche for his election as president of Impressum, the Swiss Syndicate of journalists. Christian is a member of the PEC board since many years

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) congratulates heartily Christian Campiche for his election as president of the Swiss Syndicate of Journalists: IMPRESSUM. Mr. Campiche is member of the PEC executive committee since 2005.

It is a great day for the PEC when one of its executive committee members and a very dedicated and active member becomes president of Impressum which assembles 6000 Swiss journalists one of the largest national syndicates of journalists worldwide.

PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen noted that Impressum has supported the PEC since the Geneva based NGO was created in 2004, Campiche himself brought the two organizations together to organize the third colloquium on journalism last year in Lausanne.

PEC president Hedayat Abdel Nabi noted that being elected president of IMPRESSUM is well deserved for Christian Campiche, he is dedicated to the cause of defending journalists in conflict zones, and has been for years active in his support for the PEC.

Campiche's election will open doors of wide cooperation between the PEC and the Swiss journalists association, IMPRESSUM, the PEC salutes the choice of Campiche as president and wishes him a great tenure as president.

***23.03.2015. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL - 28th session. PEC statement delivered on item 8:The PEC is deeply concerned that some States have done nothing to implement the resolution on safety of journalists (A/HRC/27/L7) adopted last September

General AssemblyHuman Rights Council28th sessionItem 8 – Follow-up and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Program of Action General Debate

Mr President,

In adopting by consensus the resolution on safety of journalists (A/HRC/27/L7) at its 27th session last year, the Human Rights Council urges States to promote a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work independently and without undue interference, to prevent attacks and violence against media workers, to ensure accountability through the conduct of impartial, speedy, thorough, independent and effective investigations, to bring perpetrators to justice, and to ensure that victims and their families have access to appropriate remedies;

The resolution calls upon States to develop strategies for combating impunity for attacks against journalists, including by using good practices such as the creation of special investigative units or independent commissions; the appointment of a specialized prosecutor; the adoption of specific protocols and methods of investigation and prosecution; the establishment of information-gathering mechanisms, such as databases, to permit the gathering of verified information about threats and attacks against journalists; the establishment of an early warning and rapid response mechanism to give journalists, when threatened, immediate access to the authorities and protective measures.

The PEC seizes this opportunity to request every State in this room to report on the implementation of the resolution and what it has done to develop the best practices agreed upon.

The PEC is deeply concerned that some States have done nothing to implement the resolution since September last year, and, on the contrary, have threatened, arrested, abducted, dismissed, injured, killed journalists. We are particularly concerned by the situation in Azerbaijan, Egypt, Guatemala, Honduras, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine (Crimea), Yemen and Venezuela.

The Geneva based NGO PEC calls upon the authorities of these countries to implement the resolution that they have adopted in letter and spirit. It calls upon the Council and the OHCHR to follow-up quickly on the implementation of the resolution.

I thank you for your attention.23 March 2015

***23.03.2015. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL - 28th session. PEC statement delivered on item 7: Last year was the worst and the deadliest year in the history of Palestine media

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) regrets the postponement to the June session of the presentation of its report by the independent Commission of Inquiry on the situation in Gaza. The military operations last summer have killed 16 media workers and these killings must be thoroughly investigated. Media facilities have suffered several attacks which contravened international law.

The PEC calls upon the Commission of Inquiry to shed light on these attacks and killings in order to identify those responsible. The lack of protection given to media workers in the most longstanding conflict between Israel and Palestine is matter of deep concern for our organization.According to the last report of the Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA), a PEC member awarded with the PEC annual Prize for Protection of Journalists in June 2009, a record number (465) of crimes and violations against media freedoms in Palestine has been registered during 2014.

Last year was the worst and the deadliest year in the history of Palestinian media.

MADA stated that the Israeli occupation forces committed 351 violations (112 in Gaza, 239 in the West Bank including East Jerusalem) or the equivalent of more than 75% of the total violations monitored and documented. While the different Palestine sides committed 114 violations (24 in Gaza and 90 in the West Bank) which is equivalent to 25%.

The PEC reiterates its condemnation of all violations against media freedoms in Palestine and stresses the need to prosecute the perpetrators of all these violations and to put an end to the escalating attacks against media in Palestine.

The PEC calls on the Members of the Human Rights Council to exert real pressure on the Israeli and Palestine authorities to induce them to comply with international law that guarantee media freedom and freedom of expression.

I thank you for your attention.23 March 2015

***17.03.2015. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL - 28th session - PEC statement delivered on situations that require the Council's attention - PEC requires the Human Rights Council to send a very strong message to all criminals that there would be no impunity for perpetrators of crimes against the freedom of expression

The year 2014 has been the second deadliest year for journalists during the past decade: 138 media workers were killed in the line of duty in 32 countries. The most dangerous countries in 2014 were Syria (19 killed), Gaza (16), Pakistan (12), Iraq (10), Ukraine (9), Mexico (8), Afghanistan (7), Honduras (6), Somalia (5), Brazil (5), and Central African Republic (4).

Middle East was on the top of the list, with 52 journalists killed, followed by Asia with 32, Latin America with 29, Sub-Saharan Africa with 15 and Europe 10.

The situation is deteriorating rather than improving. As of today, 33 journalists have already been killed in 2015, which represents a significant increase compared to the same period of last year, with 12 more killed in only 2 months and a half.

Among them are the victims of the attack against Charlie Hebdo in France. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) was horrified by the attack that resulted in a dozen deaths at the headquarters of the French weekly. It condemned a despicable attack against freedom of expression with no justification, targeting in particular four well-known cartoonists, symbols of tolerance.

The PEC honors the struggle and battle for the freedom of expression of all cartoonists around the world.

The PEC expresses its deep concern that these attacks and others by extremists could have a chilling effect on the free press around the world.

These attacks against freedom of expression require the Human Rights Council to react firmly and to send a very strong message to all criminals that there would be zero tolerance and no impunity for perpetrators of such crimes. No concession must be made to those assailants on freedom of expression.

I thank you for your attention.

17 March 2015

***17.03.2015: HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL - 28th session - PEC statement delivered on the report of the International commission of inquiry on Syria: "not to publish names at this juncture of the investigation would be to reinforce the impunity"

General AssemblyHuman Rights Council28th session

Item 4 – Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention

Report of the Independent international commission of inquiry on the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic (A/HRC/28/69)

Mr President,

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) commends the Independent international commission of inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic for its report. Journalists paid a very high price to inform the public opinion of the terrible human sufferings and the gross human rights violations in Syria.

According to the PEC records, in 4 years, since March 2011, at least 75 media workers have been killed in Syria. During the past three years, Syria was the most dangerous place for journalists to work. The PEC pays tribute today to their sense of duty, which is indispensable to document the tragedies of war.

A peak in the horror was reached in recent months. Three brave and experienced journalists were beheaded by ISIS: the Japanese Kenji Goto and the Americans Steven Sotloff and James Foley. The PEC strongly condemned these outrageous acts of barbarism and banditry and calls upon the international commission of inquiry to document those responsible for those heinous acts and to put them on the list of perpetrators to bring them to justice.

The PEC fully agree with the conclusion of the Commission, in order to maximize the potential deterrent effect of its findings, that after four years of intensive monitoring and the submission of four confidential lists of perpetrators, not to publish names at this juncture of the investigation would be to reinforce the impunity that the Commission was mandated to combat.

The PEC is still very concerned about the fate of Mazen Darwish, who received in 2012 the PEC annual Award in absentia. The Director of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression is held in arbitrary detention since February 2012 with his two colleagues Hani Zitani and Hussein Al Ghurair. The PEC urges the Syrian authorities to release them immediately.

PEC requests the Human Rights Council and the OHCHR to draw the lessons from Syria and to expedite their work in order to find ways to better protect journalists in zones of conflict.

***01.03.2015. PEC statement - Ukraine: one more journalist killed on the eve of the Human Rights Council session

Geneva, March 1 (PEC) One more journalist has been killed on the eve of the session of the Human Rights Council. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) is deeply saddened by the death of Sergii Nikolaiev, senior photographer of Segodnya daily Ukrainian newspaper and strongly condemns his killing.Since the start of the year, 29 journalists have been killed while only doing their job.

Sergii Nikolaiev died of wounds he received on Feb. 28 in eastern Ukraine. The tragedy occurred in the village of Pisky located just 1.5 kilometers from Donetsk airport, which is now controlled by separatists, according to news reports. Several of his colleagues on the scene reported that Nikolaiev was wounded by explosion of the mine, while Segodnya newspaper reported that he was wounded by shells.

Nikolaiev, 43, has worked in numerous conflict zones, including wars in Georgia, Libya, Syria, and Somalia. He has become the tenth journalist killed since the beginning of 2014 in Ukraine, the seventh directly caused by the war (five Russians, one Italian, one Ukrainian).

One year after the Euromaidan revolution in Kiev, the PEC is concerned that the space for free journalism is steadily decreasing. PEC condemns all obstacles to reporting on the conflict and calls on all parties to respect the freedom of information for all journalists. The war propaganda has created a profound atmosphere of distrust which governments are exploiting to impose their own forms of control on media. Balanced and impartial news to the public are more than ever needed.

The NGO is very concerned by the situation in Russia, where the murder of Boris Nemtsov in central Moscow, if related to the conflict in Ukraine, could have a further chilling effect on the freedom of the press.

At the 28th session of the Human Rights Council, which starts on Monday for four weeks in Geneva, PEC will highlight various worrying situations: the situation in Syria and Gaza, on the reports of both Commissions of enquiry, the restrictions in Ukraine and Russia, the crackdown in Azerbaijan, the intimidation in Egypt, the impunity in Mexico, Honduras, Philippines, Pakistan and other dangerous places.

PEC calls on the Human Rights Council to react firmly to the numerous assassinations of journalists by Islamic groups and extremists in France, Syria, Iraq, Libya, and Yemen.

***13.02.2015. EGYPT.PEC welcomes a court decision in Egypt that has ordered the release on bail of two Al Jazeera journalists

Geneva, February 13 (PEC) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) welcomes a court decision in Egypt that has ordered the release on bail of two Al Jazeera journalists being retried for allegedly aiding the banned Muslim Brotherhood.

Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed were imprisoned in June 2013 along with their Australian colleague, Peter Greste.

Jailed Al Jazeera journalist Mohamed Fahmy has been released from prison in Egypt on bail pending a retrial. Fahmy's release early on Friday morning comes a day after an Egyptian court granted bail to him and his colleague Baher Mohamed after they spent 411 days in prison.

PEC says 412 days of their lives were wasted. The NGO based in Geneva calls on the Egyptian authorities to drop all charges against them.

A retrial was ordered by the country's Court of Cassation last month, overturning a lower court's verdict that had falsely found them guilty of helping the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group.

"Bail is a small step in the right direction, and allows Baher and Mohamed to spend time with their families after 411 days apart," an Al Jazeera spokesman said on Thursday.

"The focus though is still on the court reaching the correct verdict at the next hearing by dismissing this absurd case and releasing both these fine journalists unconditionally."

A third Al Jazeera journalist, Peter Greste, who was also to be retried, was deported on February 1 under a presidential decree after spending 400 days in prison. He has since returned to his home in Australia.

The journalists strenuously deny collaborating with the banned Muslim Brotherhood after the overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi by the military in 2013. They say they were jailed simply for reporting the news.

Judge Hassan Farid adjourned proceedings until 23 February and set bail for Mr Fahmy at 250,000 Egyptian pounds ($33,000; £22,000), while Mr Mohamed was freed without bail.

PEC calls for the release of nine other journalists still detained in Egypt. Two weeks before the beginning of the next session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, the PEC hopes that Egypt will fully comply with its international obligations to respect all human rights. Mass death sentences and harsh punishments at times based on scant or no evidence have come under strong international criticism.

The PEC hopes in particular that Egypt will not restrict the freedom of information on Internet in order to support the development of a modern and open society in a safe environment for journalists as requested by the United Nations in recent resolutions of last year A/C.3/69/L.50/Rev.1 and A/HRC/27/L7.

***11.02.2015. AZERBAIDJAN. The Swiss embassy in Baku has been secretly sheltering Azerbaijani journalist and human rights activist Emin Huseynov for the past six months, a Swiss national television (SRF) report has revealed. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) calls for the end of the persecution of activists in the country and urges the Aliyev government to grant Huseynov safe passage out of the country.

The SRF current affairs programme Rundschau reported that the 35-year-old critic of President Ilham Aljiev’s regime sought refuge in the embassy because he feared for his life.

Switzerland has guaranteed Huseynov protection “for humanitarian reasons“, the Swiss foreign ministry said in a statement delivered to Rundschau.

“We have been discussing the matter with Azeri government and officials ever since, in order to find a solution,“ it added.

The Swiss government has been negotiating at the highest level possible with Azerbaijan, but the Azerbaijan government has been against letting Emin Huzeynov leave the country.

Last year was particularly difficult for free speech advocates in the former Soviet republic. The oil-rich Azeri government escalated its repression against its critics in 2014, with a dramatic deterioration in its already poor rights record.

The Swiss embassy building in the Old City of Baku is approachable directly from the street, one of the reasons it was chosen by Huseymov last August when he was facing imminent arrest, according to Rundschau investigative journalist Serena Tinari.

Huseymov is the founder of the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety, a non-governmental organisation fighting for press freedom and journalists‘ safety in Azerbaijan.

But Huseymov also had Swiss connections. As part of his pro-democracy activities, he attended an OSCE conference on human rights in the Swiss capital Bern last year, where he met then Swiss president Didier Burkhalter. The journalist had met Burkhalter once before when the Swiss president was on a state visit to Baku.

Florian Irminger of the Geneva-based Human Rights House Foundation, has been following Huseynov’s case. He told Rundschau that the journalist was arrested in 2008 and 2009 and suffered beatings that amounted to torture.

In one of Huseynov’s last public interviews before going into hiding he expressed pessimism with life under the regime: “We have no positive perspectives for the future. Repression against the freedom of opinion is continuing, including the online media.“

An other leading investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova was arrested on 5 December on a trumped-up charge of inciting a former colleague to commit suicide. Her only crime has been having the courage to investigate a subject that is completely off-limits in Azerbaijan – corruption at the highest level of government.

Government says it took travel documents away from freelance photographer Yuichi Sugimoto, 58, for his own safety

Tokyo defended on Monday its confiscation of the passport of a Japanese journalist planning to travel to Syria, as the country reels from the execution of two citizens by Islamist extremists.

The chief cabinet secretary, Yoshihide Suga, said the government took travel documents away from freelance photographer Yuichi Sugimoto, for his own safety, after learning of his plan to cover refugee camps in the war-torn country.

“Islamic State has expressed its resolve to continue killing Japanese,” Suga told a regular press briefing.

“If a Japanese national enters Syria ... we have assessed that there is a high risk that the person would face immediate danger to his life, like being captured by Isil and other Islamic extremists,” he said.

Suga said the government had given consideration to both the principle of a free press and the government’s responsibility to protect the safety of Japanese nationals in confiscating the document.

But the 58-year-old, who has covered conflict zones in Iraq and Syria over the years, said he had no plans to enter areas controlled by ISIL, Kyodo News reported.

A dangerous precedent

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) questions the legitimacy of the decision of Japan. Has a government the right to interfere with the free choice of a journalist to do his duty and to inform the public on the human sufferings in war zones ?

The passport seizure has brought sharp criticism from journalists and free-speech advocates.

“It is a dangerous precedent for the government to unilaterally decide where journalists can go and what they can report on. Revoking the passport is a form of censorship and an encroachment on civil liberties,” said Jeff Kingston, director of the Asian Studies program at Temple University’s Tokyo campus.

“Although I realize the Japanese government is balancing many difficult concerns at this time, the right of journalists to cover stories and the principle of freedom of the press must remain an inalienable right,” said Lucy Birmingham, president of the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan. She said the group was considering filing a formal protest.

Japanese officials said last week that they had repeatedly tried to dissuade one of the hostages, journalist Kenji Goto, from traveling to Syria in October, but that he ignored their warnings. He was kidnapped shortly after entering the country.

Greste and the two other Al Jazeera journalists were accused of collaborating with the banned Muslim Brotherhood after the overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi by the military in 2013. The three men said they were simply reporting the news.

Geneva, Feb 1 (PEC) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) is horrified at the beheading announced by ISIS of Japanese journalist Kenji GOTO, a heinous crime strongly condemned by the PEC.

The PEC, while seriously shocked, sends its condolences to the family of GOTO, the Japanese government and the Japanese people.

There are no words to express the sorrow of the PEC at this tragic development which is a tragedy that humanity and the world at large is to deal with.

Kenji Goto went to north-east of Syria only to help. He was not a fighter. An exchange was possible to save the lives of the hostages. It is better than to pay a ransom, which fuels terrorism, even if we cannot negotiate with criminals who are committing crimes against humanity. Those criminals must be prosecuted.

Including the two Japanese, ISIS since mid-August has beheaded two other American journalists: James Foley et Steven Sotloff, an American humanitarian worker: Peter Kassig, and two other British humanitarian workers: David Haines and Alan Henning, all were kidnapped in Syria.

Up to date 23 journalists have been killed since the beginning of 2015, an unprecedented record. It is the bloodiest month of January on record. Eight journalists have been killed in Paris, at Charlie Hebdo, 5 in South Sudan last week in an ambush, 2 in Iraq in fighting with ISIS, 2 in Libya, 1 in Yemen, 1 in Afghanistan, 1 in the Philippines, 1 in Mexico, 1 in Indonesia and now one in Syria.

PEC hopes that during its next session in March the Human Rights Council will react accordingly. It is more than ever necessary to establish a working group to discuss measures to better protect journalists in conflict zones.

***25.01.2015.SYRIA.PEC calls for the immediate release of Japanese journalist Kenji Goto

Geneva, 25 January (PEC) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) is deeply concerned by a video released by the Islamic State militant group, showing surviving Japanese freelance journalist Kenji Goto, in handcuffs and dressed in orange, holding a photo of what appears to be beheaded compatriot Haruna Yukawa. PEC firmly condemns an outrageous act of banditry and calls for the immediate release of the Japanese hostage.

Goto, 47, is an experienced freelance journalist covering the conflict in Iraq and Syria. Goto was kidnapped in Syria in October 2014 and had been a journalist for years, contributing to NHK and other Japanese news organizations.

He went in the north-east of Syria to witness the war because as a Japanese he believed to be less at risk than an American, a British or a French. Japan has no military enrolment in Syria or in Iraq.

Since the beginning of this year, 15 journalists had been killed, 8 in Paris at Charlie Hebdo, 1 in Iraq in fighting with ISIS, 2 Tunisian journalists in Libya (not yet confirmed), 1 in Afghanistan, 1 in the Philippines, 1 in Mexico and 1 in Yemen. It is the deadliest month of January on record. The turmoil in the Middle East is taking a heavy toll on the media.

PEC is also very concerned by the renewed fighting in Ukraine with no respect for civilians. The NGO warns of high risks for journalists covering the conflict.

Last year, 138 journalists were killed in the line of duty, the second deadliest year over a ten year period.

Exclusive Interview with Laurence Deonna, journalist, writer, "To be published, the reporter and the photographer must move closer to the drama at the risk of their lives" - Interview by Luisa Ballin for PEC

Journalist, photographer, reporter and writer traveler, winner of the UNESCO Prize for Peace Education in 1987, the Genevan Laurence Deonna just published her latest book titled "Ruffled Memories" (Editions de l'Aire / Ginkgo). This connoisseur of the Middle East has granted an exclusive interview to the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC).

Luisa Ballin. What are your thoughts after the tragic events that took place in Paris recently: the assassination of several cartoonists from Charlie Hebdo magazine, police and citizens of Jewish faith who were in a kosher supermarket?

Laurence Deonna. "I am Charlie." Huge crowds. They were thousands and thousands to take to the streets to pay tribute to a beheaded newspaper that they may never have read. All for "Charlie Hebdo"! All for free speech! All for democracy! Often themselves objects of cartoonists, the Heads of State marching in serried ranks. Touching, it was, it is true, and yet I could not help but think of the crazy excitement of the early days of the Arab Spring and its flowers now withered, bloody, Libya, Syria and Yemen. As for television interviews that have marked the tragic moments about which you speak, I want to tell you: men, almost exclusively men. The world has not changed. The world is still owned by them. Freedom of expression for women is when?

How has the profession of reporter covering dangerous areas evolved since the time you went out on assignment for the Journal de Genève?

When I wrote this book of memories "Ruffled Memories" I felt as if I was a hundred years old, and everything I talking about was so ancient! Whereas if you look at the eternity of humanity, in only a few years the world has changed a lot, especially in the area of reporting. I always thought that technologies more than ideologies changed people and that's what we see this time. In my time, when we left, there were not all these checks at airports or phobia of terrorism. Certainly, there was a great solitude, no mobile phones, no computers, we were alone. If we managed to get a phone line, you had to book at a certain time, between 4 and 5 o'clock in the afternoon, or send a telegram, often not knowing if there was a post office where one was going.

At the time was the work of a reporter and a photographer more dangerous or less risky than today?

I think it was less dangerous. Shortly before her death, I spoke with Ella Maillart (Editor's note: Genevese writer, photographer and world traveler who was her friend). She told me that she could not have done today all she had done, such as crossing Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, areas that I know well. It is also more dangerous because we have rushed into a society of unbridled and frightening consumerism where everything sells. Blood, for example, sells very well. To be published, the reporter and the photographer must move closer to the drama, at the risk of their lives. I found it noble enough to die for a cause, but I find it pathetic and saddening to die for a press group.

You went to Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, extremely dangerous countries today. Would you go back to write stories today?

I would not in order to do stories. Yet it is important to tell things in other words than those we see all day on TV or hear all day on the radio because we always hear the same words, while millions of people think differently. It is this variety of speech that’s lacking because it always revolves around dramatic events. What I liked during my reporting was listening to little people. I loved to take my time, which is impossible today because one must sell at all costs, to be the first to give the news. How can we really see a country, listen to people, describe the landscape or, for instance, look at posters that tell so much? That seems extremely difficult today, to observe the small details that make the richness of a true story. I will not return to Syria.

Why? Because it is extremely dangerous?

Because it would make me cry. I knew the country in the 60s and it probably had looked like the same Syria for centuries. Men are there, as in Iraq, Yemen and elsewhere, to kill an entire civilization, to disfigure a culture that has existed for centuries. This is part of a global upheaval as violent as the fall of the Roman Empire and the industrial revolution. We are in the eye of a hurricane and we do not know what will come out. This world will happily remain in my photos that have almost become archives. When I look, I have tears in my eyes because these places were bombed or paved over. This may sound naive but I like to keep these pictures of beauty.

You know the Middle East, Israel, Palestine, Egypt, you have also been awarded the Unesco Prize for Peace Education in 1987 for your book "The war in two voices". What do you think of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

It is certain that today I could not write "The war in two voices" because, unlike what we hoped for and what, indeed, pacifists both Israeli and Palestinian still hope for, hatreds have so hardened that I do not see the end of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. When I arrived in the Middle East, in the middle of the war in 1967 and even later, we still felt, paradoxically, a dialogue was possible, but now it has become impossible. Everything is fixed: in geography, in hatred, heads, hearts. I talk about this in my memoirs because I wanted to remind people that there are men and women of peace. The high US-Israeli policy is clear, particularly as regards Syria.

In what respect is Israeli-American policy clear?

Why were the Americans so quick to go bomb the DAESH (Editor's note: Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant - ISIL) in Iraq and why have they not moved to Syria? Because a dictatorial state like that of Bashar Assad more suited Israel than a somewhat democratic state. I am married to an Arab (note: her husband, Farag Moussa, is Egyptian) who reads Arabic newspapers and watches Arab television. In 2010, he was already wondering what was going on, seeing more and more mullahs and sheiks in the media. He said that Al Jazeera in English had nothing to do with Al Jazeera in Arabic. This gunpowder trail running from the Maghreb to Yemen, through Syria and Iraq, is not accidental. Probably we should call the Pentagon to ask who made all these dominoes fall over one after the other, but the line is always busy.

You know Egypt, you have visited there many times. What are your impressions of this country and in particular the situation of women and journalists?

I am outraged by what is happening in Egypt and my husband is demoralized by what is happening in his country. They replaced an airman by a general of the land armies. Nothing has changed except that people are poor, that there is still corruption, it’s dangerous to go out, as I told my niece. It’s a perverse mirror that each turns toward the other. When I watch Egyptian TV, there is a dichotomy between women journalists who do not wear headscarves and women in the street who are more and more veiled. I feel that Egypt has become a country with a headless body where there is no more intellectual life. Non Quranic books have disappeared from bookstores. In Egypt, as in Syria, the most educated people who gave the country its structure are leaving because they are the only ones who can afford to leave. The Middle East is experiencing a great tragedy. Televisions of these countries no longer show intellectuals, musicians, artists or the historical sites that are disappearing.

Is it not a paradox to see that communication technologies have freed speech of the peoples in the countries we mentioned and that once the revolutions or "Arab Springs" had taken place it is difficult to understand what happened?

There were only words, because these people, as touching as they are, had no structure. It takes more than nice words to administer and manage a country. We saw also in Afghanistan, for example, at the time of Massoud, who did not succeed although he was beloved by his people. Why? Because he was a warrior, not a manager.

To return to Egypt, how should we understand the fact that the Muslim Brotherhood had such popularity among the people?

In my most recent book I tell how I went many years ago with Farag to the poorest neighborhoods in Cairo. We arrived in front of a mosque, under a blazing sun. War widows who had not received their pension came to the mosque in order to survive because the mosque was the only place where they were given food. That day, they received bread and an orange. Up against the mosque there was a small clinic open to everyone, with young doctors who rotated to treat people free. A little further, people could borrow books from a small library. Why would these people not vote for the Muslim Brotherhood, since the state does not care about them? If the state does not provide social services, a void is created and in Egypt this space was occupied by mosques. Do not look for ideologies. In nine cases out of ten, if people are going more and more to the mosque, it's for very specific reasons. Those who do not have the means to buy medicine if they are ill know they can get it at the mosque.

What about women?

Girls say that by going to the mosque, they will perhaps meet a boy they will like and who could become their husband. They will thus not be obliged to marry their cousin. It is a structure that we must also see with their eyes and not just with our eyes of Westerners. Should we not also give them a voice and try to understand why so many men and women vote for the Muslim Brotherhood?

Do journalists not do enough?

Journalists do what their editors expected of them. I know reporters who would like to have more time to give a voice to ordinary people and explain the complexity of the situations to the public, but will they sell their stories? For it is not that that is expected of them, but rather strong shock images or interviews.

What can be done by a small structure like the Press Emblem Campaign which attempts to educate diplomats at the United Nations on the need to protect journalists in dangerous areas?

The fact that the PEC shines a spotlight on the situation of journalists in dangerous areas is important. Because diplomats are often in their bubble and it is essential that they realize what is happening in hazardous areas. There is much talk of Western journalists who travel to hot spots. When a US journalist is arrested, everyone talks about it, but 95% of information workers are locals who work there. They are risking their lives every day. They too must be protected. In this regard, the substantive work done by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is crucial because they deal with correspondents who are there 365 days a year.

Should the UN, Unesco, RSF, the PEC and other organizations do more or does greater visibility contribute unwittingly to strengthening the resolve of those who abduct journalists?

It is a paradox indeed. Throughout history, in any situation of total chaos, abductions took place, including in the Middle East and at the time of Beirut, for example. What is frightening is that today journalists are targeted. It is also important to give a voice to those who do not only talk about war. And one must also interview artists and poets. In all the books I have devoted to the countries we are talking about, I have tried to say that there are not only politics and the economy, that there are artists, women, children, the elderly, colours, there is life. We must remind the public that the Middle East is not only the war. And do not forget the dignity of these people, because when we respect the dignity of the people, it helps to bring peace.

After the articles and books you have written, including those "Ruffled Memories" just published, what is your next professional challenge?

No new book-writing challenge on the horizon. I intend to devote myself for a while to my photos. I have exhibited a lot in New York, Geneva, Paris and Canada, and I intend to continue. I also give lectures following the publication of this book of memoirs. It was easy to write, because I had everything in my head. I have not opened a single one of my notebooks, which are all put away in drawers. The only thing I needed to do was confirm dates. I wanted people to understand why, after the death of my brother and the accident that claimed the lives of my parents, I was so close to the suffering of the people I had rubbed shoulders with. I wanted this book, which tells the story of my life, not only to describe facts, but to read like a novel, with atmospheres, faces and emotions.

Geneva, 13 January (PEC) - The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) wishes to distance itself from the new publication by “Charlie Hebdo” to be distributed Wednesday to the public. The PEC notes that the cartoon publishes in the front page is lacking in sensitivity and merely adds fuel to the fire whereas it is imperative to reduce tension.

PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen said that we understand the will of the editorial board of “Charlie Hebdo” to show that they will not give in to extremists but one cannot allow just anything to be drawn or written. Freedom of expression has limits, which are set by mutual respect.

“Professional journalists respect ethical rules. In particular, one must avoid defamatory and insulting words”, he added.

The PEC firmly condemned last Wednesday’s unjustifiable attacks on “Charlie Hebdo”. But now the situation calls for calm and not supporting extremism and fanaticism by useless and hurtful provocations, affirms the PEC. This holds for every religion, every belief, whatever it may be.

PEC president Hedayat Abdel Nabi stressed that there is a thin line between freedom of opinion and expression and ethical journalism, in the case of “Charlie Hebdo” the line has been crossed in the past and today.

The PEC, a Geneva based NGO created by journalists, is struggling for more than a decade for the protection of journalists in dangerous areas. Taking certain precautions in use of language, as in appearance, is part of those elementary measures that help assure journalists’ safety.

The PEC, horrified, can only wonder what is behind the attack and calls for a peaceful solution to the conflicts in the Middle East

Geneva, 7 January 2015 (PEC) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) is horrified by the attack that resulted in a dozen deaths and many wounded at the headquarters of the French weekly Charlie Hebdo on Wednesday. It condemns a despicable attack against freedom of expression, targeting in particular four well-known cartoonists, symbols of tolerance.

"The year 2015 unfortunately is beginning on the same upward slope of violence that characterized 2014, with indiscriminate attacks against civilians, including journalists. The motivation behind this is to be found in a Middle East transformed into a powder keg by regional rivalries and foreign interventions," declared the PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen.

The PEC expresses its most sincere condolences to the families of the victims and to the personnel of Charlie Hebdo. It stands in solidarity with other journalist associations, with the media and with French government in defending freedom of information, faced with a regression to barbarity.

"This horrible act perpetrated within the center of Paris should prompt the political leaders to finally settle, by diplomacy and not by force of arms, the bloody conflicts that envenom the Middle East. Only persons who are desperate and pushed beyond the limit commit such senseless acts. One cannot let conflicts such those in Syria and in Iraq degenerate without dreadful consequences," Blaise Lempen continued.

Why France ? Who ordered the attack? France must do everything possible so that the perpetrators of this crime, and especially those directing them, are identified and sanctioned.

No concession must be made to the detractors of freedom of expression. The PEC honors the fight for freedom of all cartoonists around the world.

The PEC recalls that 2014 was the second most murderous year for journalists over the previous ten years, after 2012, with 138 media employees killed.

The figure for the past nine years during which the PEC has been keeping track, stands at more than 1000 journalists (1048, to be precise).During the past five years (2010 to 2014), the figure stands at a total of 624 journalists killed, which is an average of 125 annually, or 2.4 per week.

PEC annual report – updated (Arabic after English)138 journalists killed in 32 countries in 2014 – the second deadliest year over ten years

Geneva, 5 January 2015 (PEC) -- The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) has updated its annual report 2014, published December 15 (128 journalists killed at that time). At the end of the year, at least 138 journalists have been killed in 32 countries. 2014 was the second deadliest year after 2012 over ten years.

PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen explained that 4 more journalists (1 in Honduras, 1 in Afghanistan, 1 in Brazil and 1 in DRC) have been killed in 2 weeks since December 15. Then the PEC reviewed its list of journalists killed in Syria. “We missed the murder of 6 journalists according to the CPJ and IFJ records. We now added their names to our statistics. So we have 19 journalists killed in Syria in 2014 and no more 13 as previously reported. Syria is the number one deadliest country as in 2013 and 2012”, he said.

Here is the updated final report: Syria leads the list, with 19 journalists killed, then Gaza with 16 journalists killed by Israel during the Operation Protective Edge, followed by Pakistan (12 killed).

Iraq comes in fourth place among the most dangerous places for media work, with 10 journalists killed, many of whom lost their lives following the military offensive of the Islamic state.

Ukraine takes fifth place, with 9 journalists killed. In Ukraine, journalists from both sides of the conflict were killed, among them 4 Russian journalists.

Mexico ranks 6th with 8 journalists killed; followed by Afghanistan with 7 killed; then Honduras, with 6 killed; and Somalia and Brazil with 5 in each country. The Central African Republic hold the tenth position with 4 journalists killed.

Three journalists were killed in the following countries: Cambodia, Guinea (during a media mission covering the Ebola outbreak), Paraguay and the Philippines.

Two journalists were killed in the following countries: Bangladesh, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), India, Libya, Peru, Turkey and Yemen.

One journalist was killed in each of these countries: Burma, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Lebanon, Nigeria, Panama, Russia, Salvador, and Saudi Arabia.

Middle East on top of the list

By region, the Middle East was the most violent, with 52 journalists killed, followed by Asia with 32, Latin America with 29, Sub-Saharan Africa with 15 and Europe with 10.

In 2013, 129 journalists were killed. During the past five years (2010 to 2014), the figure stands at a total of 624 journalists killed, which is an average of 125 annually, or 2.4 per week.

The figure for the past nine years during which the PEC has been keeping track, stands at more than 1000 journalists (1048, to be precise).

The most dangerous five countries during the past five years have been Syria, 75 journalists killed; Pakistan 63; Mexico 50; Iraq 44; and Somalia 39.

Lempen stressed that this appalling tally is clearly due to violent armed conflicts that continue and find no political solution. He added that the PEC strongly condemns those crimes. All cases must be fully investigated and those responsible must be brought to justice.

PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi, while horrified at the growing numbers, said that the international community is watching the crimes without heading to the core problem which is an instrument for protection. Abdel Nabi added that the question is when will UN member states sit around a negotiating table to discuss measures to enhance the protection of journalists.

Geneva, 15 December 2014 (PEC) -- According to the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) annual report 2014, at least 128 journalists have been killed so far around the world in the course of the year. This figure is very close to the tally in 2013.

PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen said that 2014 was terrible for journalists. New conflicts for media workers opened in Ukraine, in the Israeli assault on Gaza, which led to the killings of many media workers, and in Syria, the situation was unprecedented with the beheading of journalists recorded in video clips.

Gaza leads the list, with 16 journalists killed by Israel during the Operation Protective Edge, followed by Syria (13 journalists killed) and Pakistan (12 killed).

Iraq comes in fourth place among the most dangerous places for media work, with 10 journalists killed, many of whom lost their lives following the military offensive of the Islamic state.

Ukraine takes fifth place, with 9 journalists killed. In Ukraine, journalists from both sides of the conflict were killed, among them 4 Russian journalists.

Mexico ranks 6th with 8 journalists killed; followed by Afghanistan with 6 killed; then Honduras, with 5 killed; and Somalia with 5. Brazil and the Central African Republic hold the tenth position with 4 journalists killed in each country.

Three journalists were killed in the following countries: Cambodia, Guinea (during a media mission covering the Ebola outbreak), Paraguay and the Philippines.

Two journalists were killed in the following countries: Bangladesh, Colombia, India, Libya, Peru, Turkey and Yemen.

By region, the Middle East was the most violent, with 46 journalists killed, followed by Asia with 31, Latin America with 27, Sub-Saharan Africa with 14 and Europe with 10.

Compared to 2013, when 129 journalists were killed, the figures are very close. The figure for the past nine years during which the PEC has been keeping track, stands at more than 1000 journalists (1038, to be precise).

During the past five years (2010 to 2014), the figure stands at a total of 614 journalists killed, which is an average of 123 annually, or 2.4 per week.

The most dangerous five countries during the past five years have been Syria, 69 journalists killed; Pakistan 63; Mexico 50; Iraq 44; and Somalia 39.

Lempen stressed that this appalling tally is clearly due to violent armed conflicts that continue and find no political solution while hostage-taking has become more frequent.

Positive commitment

"It is positive that governments have committed themselves much more than several years ago to reinforcing safety for journalists through the adoption of United Nations resolutions. One can also note the launch of numerous initiatives by NGOs and international organizations," added the PEC Secretary-General.

Nonetheless, impunity and non-respect of international law by some parties continue in the field. "This is why the PEC has repeatedly called for an international instrument to protect journalists. The political will in the most concerned countries, necessary to shedding light on the murders and bringing those responsible to justice, is lacking, and in conflict countries it is often impossible to launch an enquiry," says Lempen.

"The United Nations, thus, must create a follow-up mechanism at the international level if we are to fight effectively against impunity. This should be the mission of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva," he declared.

He added that, as the problem of media access has escalated, many media have stopped sending their journalists because of the extreme risks. As a result, coverage of such conflicts occupies less space in the media and attracts less public attention, a matter which is of extreme importance to exert pressure to solve such conflicts and for financing humanitarian aid.

For the president of the PEC, Hedayat Abdel Nabi, whereas more than 100 journalists per year are still being killed, the international community is watching the crimes without dealing with the core problem, which requires a protection instrument. All initiatives are welcome, but, as the PEC's efforts approach their second decade, the question is when the United Nations member states will sit down around a negotiating table to discuss the draft convention to protect journalists, she declared.

Statististical Clarification

It should be noted that in its reporting since 2006, the PEC has taken into account journalists intentionally targeted in the exercise of their profession as well as those killed accidentally and otherwise unintentionally. It is, in fact, very difficult to determine the causes of death, for accounts can vary highly depending on the sources.

For 2014, the PEC estimates that around half of the journalists killed were intentionally targeted by governments, armed groups and criminal gangs. But this is only a rough figure in the absence of independent investigations.

***23.11.2014. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) welcomes the resolution which was adopted by consensus at the third committee at the United Nations in New York which aims at enhancing the protection and the safety of journalists, but more needs to be done - five years after the Ampatuan Massacre, no one has been convicted

Arabic below - Read also on our page OTHER NEWS A STATEMENT ON THE FIFTH YEAR SINCE THE 2009 AMPATUAN (MAGUINDANAO) MASSACRE

Read the text of the Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on our page DOCUMENTS

Geneva (PEC, Nov 23) - The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) welcomes the resolution which was adopted by consensus at the third committee at the United Nations in New York which aims at enhancing the protection and the safety of journalists.

"This new resolution is very positive. It demonstrates the political will of the UN Member States to reinforce the protection of media workers and to fight impunity", said PEC Secretary General Blaise Lempen.

"The awareness of the problem has increased significantly. However the reality on the ground has not improved. Since January this year, 118 journalists were killed in 26 countries. Last year, there were 129 who were targeted in connection with their reporting. More needs to be done to monitor whether governments are complying with their obligations", he added.

The PEC, said Lempen, calls on the UN to create a new international mechanism to follow-up on the enquiries and bring those responsible to justice. Today is the 5th anniversary of the Ampatuan massacre in the Philippines (32 journalists killed) and still no one has been convicted, he stressed.

This call to the UN, said PEC president Hedayat Abdel Nabi would translate the resolution on paper to action on the ground and would at the same time include the protection angle as an important ingredient in its formulation.

Abdel Nabi added that this welcome move by the international community could well be coupled with a move to discuss an international instrument to protect journalist, the world is on board, it takes one country or group of countries to trigger the process.

The new resolution reaffirms the concept of journalism as an activity that is evolving and now includes not only professional journalists but also “private individuals and a range of organizations that seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, online as well as offline.”

It reaffirms the obligation to protect journalists in both wartime and peacetime and stresses the need to “create and maintain, in law and in practice, a safe and enabling environment for journalists” and to conduct “impartial, speedy, thorough, independent and effective investigations” into attacks against journalists and other news providers.

The resolution lists all the human rights violations and abuses that constitute a threat to the safety of journalists, not only killing, torture and enforced disappearance but also “arbitrary arrest and arbitrary detention, expulsion, intimidation, harassment, threats and other forms of violence.”

Reinforcing governments’ obligations to combat impunity, it mentions the June 2014 UN Human Rights Council panel on the safety of journalists, it points out that attacks against journalists are on the rise and it describes the fight against impunity as the “biggest challenge” for journalists’ safety.

Paragraph 8 urges governments to cooperate with UNESCO on a “voluntary basis” and to share information about investigations into attacks against journalists, while paragraph 7 refers to the good practices identified in the Human Rights Council resolution of 25 September 2014.

Like the Human Rights Council one, today’s resolution stresses “the particular vulnerability of journalists to becoming targets of unlawful or arbitrary surveillance or interception of communications in violation of their rights to privacy and to freedom of expression.”

It also calls for the release of all journalists who are being held hostage or who are the victims of enforced disappearance and says that not only journalists but also their families should receive compensation for acts of violence.

The resolution which was proposed by France, Greece, Austria, Argentina, Costa Rica and Tunisia and co-sponsored by more than 80 countries, is due to be definitively approved by the General Assembly next month.

05.11.2014.PEC took part in a meeting in Strasbourg organized by UNESCO: Legal experts discussed frameworks to tackle impunity -and attended the 3rd UN Inter-Agency Meeting on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity

The event was organized by the Council of Europe, UNESCO, the Centre for Freedom of the Media at the University of Sheffield, and the European Lawyer’s Union. Participants included senior representatives of the European Court of Human Rights, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and the Pan African Lawyers Union.The PEC Representative to the United Nations Gianfranco Fattorini attended the meeting.

Among the speakers were Judge Manuel Ventura Robles from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights; David Kaye, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Opinion; and James Stewart the deputy prosecutor at the International Criminal Court.

Participants dissected how states could better implement their obligations to protect freedom of expression through applying universal standards, improving legal frameworks and sharing cross-national experiences.

A consistent theme was that there are many legal instruments at global and regional level which can provide protection and justice for journalists under attack, but these mechanisms need to be publicized within individual countries.

An analysis of several of the instruments is available in a background paper prepared for the seminar by law professor Sejal Parmar.

The 3rd UN-Inter-Agency Meeting on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity took place on 4 November 2014 at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France. This meeting, convened by UNESCO and co-hosted by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Council of Europe, coincides with the inaugural International Day to End Impunity of Crimes against Journalists on 2 November.

This working meeting reviewrd the implementation of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity from 2013 to 2014 including the successes, challenges, lessons learnt and the way forward. The UN Plan of Action was spearheaded by UNESCO and subsequently adopted by the UN Chief Executives Board on 12 April 2012. It marks the first effort to systematically bring the UN family of agencies together with other relevant stakeholders to address the worsening situation of the safety of journalists, media workers, and social media producers, and of the culture of impunity surrounding the crimes against them.

Underlining the multi-stakeholder approach of the UN Plan of Action, representatives from different UN Agencies, Member States, international and regional organizations, academia, and media practitioners themselves hace participated in the meeting. The breadth and depth of the issues on the safety of journalists require a broad coalition of different stakeholders. Their collective proficiency and resources provide a thorough and broad perspective which is necessary in achieving the overall objective.

The first UN-Inter-Agency Meeting took place in September 2011 at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris where the plan was first drafted. A second UN Inter-Agency meeting took place in Vienna in November 2012 where a comprehensive Implementation Strategy was adopted. The strategy included over 120 concrete actions that could be taken on the protection of journalists and its related issues. The Implementation Strategy will serve as the basis for the review process.

For more information regarding the 3rd UN-Inter-Agency Meeting on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, please contact Mr Ming Kuok LIM (mk.lim(at)unesco.org) with copy to Mr Gerwin DE ROY (g.de-roy(at)unesco.org).

Statement of the meeting of civil society delegates of the 3rd UN Inter-Agency meeting on the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity -

We, the undersigned participants of the meeting of the civil society delegates of the 3rd UN Inter-Agency meeting on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, that took place on the 4th November, 2014:

· Reaffirm our support for the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity while recommending a stronger strategic focus on engaging all stakeholders at domestic levels to implement the plan, given the time passed since its launch;

· In particular, welcome emphasis on the preventive and protective safety measures outlined in the Plan of Action but encourage more consistent and less disconnected actions at country level to guarantee such precautionary measures;

· Believe that national mechanisms need to be further developed and strengthened to ensure a broad-based, comprehensive and inclusive approach, based on local ownership;

· Recognize the need for political will and action by UN member states and other authorities to implement the Plan;

· Appreciate the efforts to map and continue to identify good practices with the expectation that they can be shared among civil society and media and replicated where appropriate to inspire implementation of the Plan of Action. But we recommend more robust use and application of these practices at country level;

· Agree to support implementation of the Plan of Action in mutual cooperation and partnership among international, regional and national stakeholders, while also monitoring and assessing the Plan’s impact.

· We recognize that more needs to be done among international NGOs to ensure more efficient coordination at country level in order to support and facilitate the achievement of the targets set in the action plan;

· Underscore the need to comply with the decisions of regional mechanisms to address impunity and ensure effective implementation of such structures where they exist;

· While recalling obligations of the UN and its member states to prevent attacks and combat impunity globally, we recommend implementation of the Plan of Action in a comprehensive manner,

· Note that increased awareness the UN Action Plan among UN institutions as well as member states and the media themselves is crucial to its successful implementation, and undertake to increase our own efforts to enhance awareness of the Plan among journalists,

· Encourage regular and timely reviews of the progress of the UN Action Plan by all stakeholders.

***03.11.2014. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL. UPR EGYPT. Letter sent to Ambassadors by IPI and PEC on the dare situation journalists are facing in Egypt

3 November, 2014

Excellency,

In light of the upcoming Review of Egypt on 5 November in the framework of the 20th session of the UPR Working Group, the International Press Institute (IPI) and the Press Emblem Campaign wish to call your attention to the particularly dare situation journalists are facing in that country.

Since the last Review undergone by Egypt in February 2010 and the adoption of the Report at the 14th session of the Human Rights Council in June 2010, Egypt has witnessed several mass demonstrations. These led in February 2011 to the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, following which the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces assumed office between February 2011 and June 2012, when general elections brought to power Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Morsi. Following massive protests, the Army deposed President Morsi on 3 July 2013 and installed an interim government led by Judge Adly Mansour. On 14 to 15 January 2014, a new Constitution was adopted by an overwhelming majority of the 39 percent of registered voters who participated to the referendum. In March 2014, General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Head of the Egyptian Armed Forces, resigned from his position and announced his candidacy for the May 2014 presidential elections, which he won overwhelmingly. Al-Sisi took office on 8 June 2014.

In the weeks following the arrest of Morsi, Egyptian security forces rounded up numerous correspondents, freelancers and photographers. At least four journalists died in a single day, 14 August 2013, when the police and military moved against pro-Morsi camps in Cairo and other cities. Briton Michael Deane, a cameraman for Sky News, was among the victims. Some broadcasters were banned and several media outlets were closed down.

On 29 December 2013, just two weeks before the country was to vote on a new Constitution, security agents arrested four journalists working for Al Jazeera’s English service. The Interior Ministry accused them of spreading “false news”, “damaging national security” and supporting a banned organization – the Muslim Brotherhood.

The new Constitution adopted by referendum in mid-January provides guarantees of press freedom, freedom of publication and the independence of the news media, including protections against censorship, confiscation, suspension and closure of news media (Articles 70, 71 and 72).

Nevertheless, on 25 January 2014, a freelance photographer was shot dead while covering demonstrations and many journalists were wounded during clashes on that day. Days later, Egypt’s public prosecutor announced that 20 journalists, including four foreigners said to be working for Al Jazeera, would face trial on charges of terrorism and spreading “false news”.

Al Jazeera’s Sue Turton and Dominic Kane, both from Britain, were among the four foreigners accused, although both had already left Egypt at that time. The group also included Dutch journalist Rena Netjes, Cairo correspondent for Holland’s Parool newspaper and BNR radio, who fled Egypt shortly after the charges were announced. The fourth foreigner was Australian Peter Greste, an Al Jazeera English correspondent.

Greste was tried along with Egyptian Baher Mohamed (producer) and Egyptian-Canadian Mohamed Fahmy (producer), and found guilty on 23 June 2014. Greste and Fahmy were sentenced to seven years in prison, while Baher Mohamed – who was in possession of a spent bullet casing he had found on the ground during a protest – was sentenced to an additional three years for possession of ammunition. Another 11 defendants tried in absentia – including foreigners Turton, Kane and Netjes – were given 10-year sentences.

In August 2014, the lawyers for Greste, Mohamed and Fahmy filed appeals of their convictions. The case will now be heard before the Court of Cassation, which will determine whether to order a retrial or reject the appeals, in proceedings scheduled to begin on 1 January 2015. Meanwhile, on 14 October 2014 Ahmed Mansour, a presenter on Al Jazeera Arabic, was sentenced in absentia to 15 years imprisonment by Cairo’s criminal court on the charge of torturing a lawyer in Tahrir Square during the 25 January 2011 uprising.

It is commonly acknowledged that Egyptian journalists have always worked under self-censorship, but the situation has become worse as the government no longer targets only high-profile journalists. The feeling of insecurity and uncertainty expressed by journalists – foreign correspondents as well as Egyptian – is borne out by the handling of media, both by the police and security services, and by vigilantes. Lack of reforms implementing the freedoms guaranteed by the new Constitution and a lack of awareness of the right of journalists to report news freely appear to be major problems. Further, many Egyptian and foreign correspondents have reported that police and security services officers often refuse to recognise government-issued press credentials.

In view of this situation, we would be very grateful if, during the debate of Egypt’s review on 5 November, your delegation could express its concern on this matter and recommend that Egypt respect the letter and spirit of its new Constitution – including Articles 70, 71 and 72 – that the government ensure that those who attack journalists are held accountable and that it establish ongoing training for police and armed forces personnel in recognising journalists and respecting the role they play in a democracy.

***01.11.2014. DOHA. Regional symposium on Safety and Security of Journalists - the Reality of Violations and the Efforts for Protection - International Day to End Impunity. PEC statement delivered by Gianfranco Fattorini

Safety and Security of Journaliststhe Reality of Violations and the Efforts for Protection

United Nations Plan for the security and safety of journalists:challenges and good practices

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) expresses its gratitude to the organizers for the invitation to participate in this very important and timely Symposium that gives us the opportunity to celebrate the first International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.

The PEC sees the proclamation of this International Day by the United Nations General Assembly a recognition of a major problem – the widespread and persistent Impunity that follows crimes committed against journalists.

To fully understand the extent of this phenomenon, one can just go through the statistic annexed to the Report submitted last month by the Director General of UNESCO to the Intergovernmental Council of the International Program for the Development of Communication (IPDC).

Out of the 593 killings of journalists recorded by UNESCO between 2006 and 2013, in only 31 cases the responsible was convicted, which means 5% of the cases, while in 344 cases, which represent 58% of the recorded killings, no information has been made available.

Regardless of the statistics’ discrepancy of journalists killed around the world, due to different criteria adopted by each organization, nowadays it is commonly admitted that journalists play a particular role in the societies and that the crimes committed against a journalist is an attempt to curb the development of a free and democratic society, an attempt to stop the peoples of the United Nations who are determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, to reaffirm faith in fundamental rights, to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained and to promote social progress.

That’s why this Symposium has an important significance. The celebration of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists must be an occasion for everybody to deeply reflect on the challenges we face to ensure a real and concrete protection of journalists. A wider protection that cannot be limited to the development of measures improving the security and safety of journalists and media workers because clearly, preventive measures may lead to a decrease in the number of crimes committed against journalists, but Impunity can only be fought with by means of investigation and sanctions.

In reality, when we speak about Impunity for crimes against Journalists, we don’t limit the scope of action of this struggle to the killings, but to any form of crime; namely hostage tacking, kidnapping, abduction, arbitrary arrests or detention, enforced disappearance, psychological and physical torture, and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, and sexual violence against women journalists.

The adoption one year ago of resolution 68/163 by the United Nations General Assembly was a very important step on the path of the struggle against Impunity, as well as it was the adoption in 2006 of resolution 1738 by the Security Council which focused very much on the necessity to prosecute those responsible of crimes against journalists. The resolutions adopted by the UN Human Rights Council, including the one adopted last September, is also part of this struggle and demonstrates that the issue has now become a major concern for the international community.

The studies presented throughout the last ten years to the UN Human Rights Council and to the General Assembly by different Special Rapporteurs and by the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights, as well as the reports presented by the UN Secretary-General to the General Assembly also have denounced the Impunity that follows crimes committed against journalists. The debates held in the UN Human Rights Council as well as those held in the UN Security Council, although they addressed the matter from different angles, allowed everyone to apprehend various aspects of violence and crimes committed against journalists.

The UN Plan of Action on the safety of Journalists and the issue of Impunity is certainly the major tool that the international community - UN system and Governments - have in their hands for the implementation of a comprehensive, coherent, and action-oriented approach to the safety and protection of journalists and the issue of impunity.

While promoting the safety and protection of journalists requires preventive mechanisms and actions to address some of the root causes of violence against journalists, fighting impunity, by definition, requires an after-the-fact action implemented by an independent and effective investigative mechanism and a judicial body, also independent, which can prosecute those responsible.

If one can consider that in times of peace national judiciary systems can efficiently deal with crimes, this is not the case in countries that have to be considered as conflict areas, where journalists can be victims of crimes committed by all parties to the conflict.

In fact, the different reports presented to the UN Human Rights Council demonstrate that none of the existing mechanisms, at the national, regional or international level is instrumental in combating impunity against the crimes committed against journalists in conflict situations.

When one looks to the statistics annexed to the above mentioned report of the Director General of UNESCO, it appears that the vast majority of the 593 journalists killed over the considered period have been local (around 94 percent) and also that about 3/4 of them have been killed in conflict situation, while other forms of violence occurs mainly in conflict zones. This year too, so far, the PEC registers 115 journalists killed around the world; more than 70% of them were killed in armed conflict situations: Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, etc.

In the course of the Panel discussion held last June at the UN Human Rights Council, prominent human rights officers took a courageous stand. High Commissioner, Mrs. Navy Pillay, called on States to adopt a zero tolerance policy towards any form of violence against journalists and to insure accountability for attacks on them. Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, Mr. Frank La Rue, joined his colleague Mr. Christof Heyns (Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions) in calling for the adoption of a specific UN instrument[1]. The PEC believes that the time has come to open the common reflection on the adoption of a specific international instrument and looks forward to initiate the necessary consultations.

Today we have to admit that there are some fundamental concepts and key aspects related to the protection of journalists and media workers, notably those linked to the fight against Impunity that need a more comprehensive analysis from the international community in order to adopt the effective measures necessary to eradicate the Impunity and thus insure not only the safety but also the indispensable protection journalists and media workers must be entitled to.

***25.09.2014. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL:The PEC salutes the adoption of a new resolution on the safety of journalists by the Human Rights Council, marking progress by UN Member States

Arabic below - read the text of the resolution on our page DOCUMENTS

GENEVA, 25 September (PEC) – The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) salutes the adoption of a resolution on the safety of journalists unanimously by the Human Rights Council. The text of the resolution marks progress which allows governments to be engaged positively.

The resolution was submitted by Austria, Qatar, Tunisia, Morocco, Greece, Brazil and France.

The Geneva based NGO noted that the resolution condemns unequivocally all attacks and violence against journalists and media workers, such as torture, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and arbitrary detention, as well as intimidation and harassment in both conflict and non-conflict situations.

The resolution also strongly condemns the prevailing impunity for attacks and violence against journalists and expresses grave concern that the vast majority of these crimes go unpunished, which in turn contributes to the recurrence of these crimes,

And urges States to promote a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work independently and without undue interference, to prevent attacks and violence against journalists and media workers, to ensure accountability through the conduct of impartial, speedy, thorough, independent and effective investigations into all alleged violence against journalists and media workers falling within their jurisdiction, to bring perpetrators including inter alia those who command, conspire to commit, aid and abet or cover up such crimes to justice and to ensure that victims and their families have access to appropriate remedies.

During the negotiations, the PEC has obtained that the resolution explicitly ensure that the families of the victims have access to appropriated remedies.

The resolution calls upon States to develop and implement strategies for combating impunity for attacks and violence against journalists, including by using, where appropriate, good practices such as those identified during the panel discussion and/or compiled in the report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on good practice on the safety of journalists, inter alia,

(a) the creation of special investigative units or independent commissions;

(b) the appointment of a specialized prosecutor;

(c) the adoption of specific protocols and methods of investigation and prosecution;

(d) the training of prosecutors and judiciary regarding the safety of journalists,

(e) the establishment of information-gathering mechanisms, such as databases, to permit the gathering of verified information about threats and attacks against journalists

(f) the establishment of an early warning and rapid response mechanism to give journalists, when threatened, immediate access to the authorities and protective measures.

The PEC finds that the mechanism of early warning and rapid response as proposed could be further elaborated in the context of the decision of the Human Rights Council to continue the examination of this global problem in its forthcoming sessions.

PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen noted that in the context of the increasing number of journalists fallen this year, the continued engagement of the UN at all levels is positive.

“The journalists are the uncontested witnesses of human rights violations whoever is the violator, thus it can help in saving lives,” added Lempen.

He added that in countries witnessing wars or violent unrests judicial authorities are no longer functioning, and it would not be possible to carry independent investigations. The instating of an international mechanism to ensure accountability in conflict zones is indispensable where it is not possible to combat impunity at the national level.

PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi noted that the Human Rights Council and countries concerned must contemplate trials in absentia that would result in a world cry of condemnations against the perpetrators of crimes against journalists.

This is the third Human Rights Council resolution on the safety of journalists. The first was issued in March 2010, the second in September 2012. In addition the UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution on 18 December 2013, and the Security Council adopted the resolution 1738 in December 2006.

The Press Emblem Campaign has already alerted the Human Rights Council about the limitations imposed and the harassment on media workers in Israel and in the Occupied Palestinian Territories by both, the Israeli and the Palestinian authorities. The PEC consistently denounced the targeting, by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF), of journalists with rubber bullets and tear gas, preventing them from covering events.

But this summer, in the course of the Israeli military operation called “Protective Edge”, journalists suffered a more severe attack in nature. As (partially) documented in our written statement[2], between July 9th and August 25th, 17 journalists have been killed in Gaza; while a number of them have been victimized by the indiscriminate bombing of civilians in Gaza, which per se may constitute a war crime, some have allegedly been purposely targeted by the Israeli Army.

On 9th July, Hamed Shehab (Palestinian, aged 30, media worker at 24 Media) was hit by an Israeli air strike while driving home in a car clearly marked as a media vehicle, the word “TV” printed on the front hood of the car. On 23rd July, Abdulrahman Ziad Abu Hayyin (Palestinian, aged 28, Al-Kitab TV) was killed by an Israeli bomb which destroyed his house in Al-Shajaia neighborhood in Gaza city. On 29th July, Baha’ Edeen Gharib (Palestinian, aged 59, Palestine TV) was killed along side with her daughter Ola by a rocket fired from Israeli drone while he was going by car to a hospital to treat his daughter. The same day, Ezat Abu Duhair (Palestinian, aged 23, Al-Huriya Media Network) died when his house was shelled by the Israeli Air Force. On July 31st, Mohammed Majed Daher (Palestinian, aged 27, Al-Resallah weekly newspaper) succumbed to severe injuries suffered in the bombing (without a previous warning) by an Israeli airplane of his three-floor house on Sunday 20 July in Al-Shajaiea neighborhood in Gaza city. On August 1st, Abdullah Nasr Fahjan (Palestinian, aged 21, photo reporter) was taking photos in Rafah when an Israeli drone targeted him at around 12:20 pm, and he got severe injuries in his head, he died at around 3:00 pm. On August 4th, Hamada Khaled Maqqat (Palestinian, aged 24), editing director of the online news site SAJA died when the IOF bombarded his house in Gaza.

Those murders, as well as the bombing of 8 media outlets in the Gaza Strip, out of which 5 were deliberately targeted by the IOF, constitute with no doubt war crimes.

The Press Emblem Campaign calls on:

Ø the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 to investigate, in the framework of his mandate, on the violation of the fundamental freedoms and rights of journalists and media workers, with a particular attention on the violation of the rights of women journalists;

Ø the members of the Independent, international commission of inquiry to investigate on the aforementioned crimes against media outlet, journalists and media workers and identify the responsible.

I thank you for your attention.

22 September 2013[1] The PEC is grateful to the Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) for its collaboration[2] A/HRC/27/NGO/92

***16.09.2014. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL:Report of the Independent international commission of inquiry on the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic (A/HRC/27/60) - Oral statement delivered by the PEC representative Gianfranco Fattorini

General AssemblyHuman Rights Council27th session

Item 4 - Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention

Report of the Independent international commission of inquiry on the situationin the Syrian Arab Republic (A/HRC/27/60)

Mr. President,

The Press Emblem Campaign thanks the members of the Independent international commission of inquiry (IICI) of remaining attentive to the particular situation journalists have to face in the Syrian Arab Republic and reiterates its call for a standing section in the Independent international commission of inquiry’s report dedicated to journalists, considering the particular role they play in collecting information and disseminating it to the public. For this purpose, Annex V of the report, dedicated to “Specifically protected persons and objects” could have been subdivided with a focus on the victims instead of the authors of the crimes.

More than 60 media workers have paid with their life their professional commitment in the Syrian Arab Republic since the beginning of the civil unrest that turned to a civil war. While Syria was the deadliest country in the world for media workers in 2012 and 2013, this year it is second only to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, where 16 journalists and media workers were killed in a few weeks this summer. The PEC strongly condemns the horrific staged killings of James Foley and Steven Sotloff reported by videos released on the social Medias by a criminal non-State actor as well as the murder of Egyptian photograph Ahmad Hassan.

While the report presented by the IICI turns the attention mainly on unidentified armed groups and ISIL, we wish here to underline that all parties to the conflict are responsible of arbitrary arrests, abduction, kidnapping, physical and psychological torture, extrajudicial killings or murder of journalists and media workers and that this situation, leads to a form of self-censorship from the media outlets.

The PEC calls on the Commission of Inquiry to continue to investigate and to report to the Council about the fate of Mazen Darwish, Director of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression, who was arrested in February 2012. Darwish and his two colleagues Hani Zitani and Hussein Al Ghurair are still held in arbitrary detention.

Finally, the PEC would like to ask a question to the members of the Commission: what would be in your view, the best way to fight impunity for the crimes committed against journalists in the Syrian Arab Republic?

With almost a hundred journalists and media workers killed since the beginning of the year, 2014 will be one of the most deadly years for the media profession in the 21st Century. The Press Emblem Campaign calls on the Council to keep its constant attention on this particular subject.

The PEC would have appreciated if the Council had requested a study on the matter to its Advisory Committee. It is our conviction that some key aspects related to the protection of journalists and media workers need a more comprehensive analysis from the international community.

While it is commonly admitted that impunity that follows crimes against journalists and media workers is the major factor that fuels the killings and violence to which this category of professionals are subject, no concrete steps are taken in order to ensure a mechanism having the capacity to promptly and independently investigate on such crimes and thus increase the protection of journalists and media workers. Instead, the international community seems to limit itself to improve their security by developing tools in the field of prevention, but leaving journalists and media workers alone once they are victims of crimes.

Recalling last June’s appeal of High Commissioner Navy Pillay to States to adopt a zero tolerance policy towards any form of violence against journalists and to insure accountability for attacks on them, the PEC highlights the fact that the majority of the journalists and media workers are killed in situation of conflict, violent unrests or struggle of governmental forces against political or criminal armed groups.

In referring to our written contributions A/HRC/26/NGO/55 and A/HRC/27/NGO/99, we draw the Council’s attention on the fact that from 1st January 2010 until today, out of the 577 victims, 419 were killed in conflict situations[1]: a total of 73%. It is therefore inaccurate to believe that the majority of the crimes, including abduction, kidnapping, torture and others committed against journalists and media workers occur in time of peace and this illusive perception seriously undermine the reflection on the measures needed for ensuring a better protection for journalists and media workers.

The PEC calls on the Human Rights Council to deepen its reflection beyond the issues of freedom of expression and the security of journalists and media workers.

I thank you for your attention.[1] 2010: 74 out of 110 – 2011: 77 out of 107 – 2012: 112 out of 141 – 2013: 93 out of 129 – 2014: 63 out of 90

Before the conference at the Swiss Press Club, a demonstration took place in front of the United Nations in Geneva. At this occasion, PEC Secretary General Blaise Lempen (right) calls for the immediate release of the journalists in Egypt. Christiane Dubois, director of Reporters without Borders in Switzerland (left) joigned the demonstration organized with the Acting Director General of Al Jazeera Media Network, Dr. Mostefa Souag (center) (photo sd)

Dear colleagues and friends,

First of all, the Press Emblem Campaign wishes to thank Mr. Mettan for the timely initiative taken in launching today an international petition calling for the liberation of Peter Greste, Mohamed Fahmy et Baher Mohamed; the three journalists sentenced to imprisonment just for having done their job: inform the public and open space for public dialogue in a country that, after decades of military power, was successfully implementing a democratic process.

Indeed, seeking and providing information to the public has become a quite dangerous work in the 3rd millenary. We may recall that, as of today, about a hundred journalists and media workers have been killed in 2014 and about 1’400 in the years 2000, an average of almost a hundred per year. At the same time, thousands have been harassed, arrested, injured or tortured all around the world, just because being journalists. And last, but not least, how not to mention the horrific staged killings of James Foley and Steven Sotloff reported by videos released on the social medias by a criminal non-State actor.

The international community has realized the extent of the problem and in recent years the protection of journalists and media workers has integrated the agenda of UNESCO, of the Human Rights Council, of the Security Council and that of the General Assembly. Some important steps have been achieved but we all have to find together the way to establish an international mechanism that will concretely protect journalists and media workers and combat the impunity related to crimes against journalists.

The Press Emblem Campaign calls on all of you to support the petition for the liberation of the three Aljazeera journalists as well as the efforts undertaken to achieve the establishment of an international mechanism for the protection of journalists and media workers.

I thank you.

Gianfranco Fattorini, PEC Representative at the United Nations

***04.09.2014.Human Rights Council -Twenty-seventh session. Two written statements submitted by the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC)

15 journalists and media workers killed during operation “Protective Edge”: the responsible have to be held accountable

Introduction

As of the day of submission of this contribution (25th August), 15 journalists and media workers have been killed in the context of the operation “Protective Edge” launched by the Israeli forces on 8 July 2014 on the Gaza Strip. Additionally, many journalists were injured by Israeli attacks, the houses of 16 of them were destroyed (often purposely targeted), and 8 media outlets were shelled. The Israeli army also interrupted the broadcasting of different TV and radio stations as well as media websites[1].

The lack of protection given to media workers in the most longstanding conflict is matter of deep concern; it represents an unprecedented escalation of violations against journalists by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) in the West Bank observed in recent years. The Israeli violations against Palestinian journalists are the most dangerous, life threatening, and the most frequent.

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) denounces the harassment against journalists and media workers as well as the smear campaign of the Israeli diplomacy against foreign journalists falsely accused to work for Hamas[2] that leads to a sneaky form of self-censorship.

The PEC also deplores methods employed by the Hamas authorities and their representatives against visiting international journalists in Gaza over the past month. Foreign reporters working in Gaza have been harassed, threatened or questioned over stories or information they have reported. The PEC denounces the system of "vetting" Hamas is putting in place, a procedure that would allow for the blacklisting of specific journalists.

Media outlets attacked

The IOF destroyed 8 media outlets in the Gaza Strip. 5 of them were targeted deliberately, i.e.: the 3 headquarters of Al-Aqsa TV and satellite channel, the office of Alwataniya Agency for Media, and Al-Jazeera TV premises. 2 media outlets were hit indirectly, the first by the shelling of a nearby building, the second by the bombing of the building inside which the outlet was located.

Three headquarters of Al-Aqsa TV and satellite channel (where 325 journalists, media workers, programmers and employees work) were shelled, as well as the Alwataniya Agency for Media (where 35 journalists and employees were present). Al-Jazeera TV office was shelled a day after the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Lieberman threatened to close Al-Jazeera office. The destruction of Forsan Al-Hyrriya radio station resulted from the shelling of a nearby house. The shelling of a building where Sawt Al-Watan radio was located caused material damages and injured employees.

In addition to shelling and destroying media outlets, the Israeli occupation army deliberately disturbed the broadcasting of 7 radio and TV stations and websites, and used these stations to broadcast inciting messages against the Palestinian resistance, as they did in their previous attacks on the Gaza Strip. The following radio stations and websites were targeted: Al-Aqsa radio, Sawt Al-Quds radio, Sawat Al-Sha'eb, Filistin Il-Yom TV and website, Al-Ra'ei website.

The victims of crimes

9 July Hamed Shehab (Palestinian, aged 30, media worker at 24 Media) hit by an Israeli air strike while driving home on Omar al-Mukhtar street in a car clearly marked as a media vehicle, the word “TV” printed on the front hood of the car;

10 July Mohammed Smeri (Palestinian, Gaza Now website) killed in an Israeli war jet bombardment on Deir Albalah town, south of the Gaza Strip;

23 July Abdulrahman Ziad Abu Hayyin (Palestinian, aged 28, Al-Kitab TV) killed by an Israeli bomb which destroyed his house in Al-Shajaia neighbourhood in Gaza city, his brother and grandfather were also killed in the attack;

29 July Baha’ Edeen Gharib (Palestinian, aged 59, Palestine TV) was killed along side with her daughter Ola by a rocket fired from Israeli drone while he was going by car to a hospital to treat his daughter;

Ezat Abu Duhair (Palestinian, aged 23, Al-Huriya Media Network) died along with four members of his family when his house was shelled by the Israeli Air Force

30 July Ahed Afif Zaqout (Palestinian, aged 49, Palestine TV) was killed in his apartment during an attack on the Italian tower in Gaza City;

Rami Rayan (Palestinian, aged 25, Palestinian Network for Press and Media) killed by Israeli shelling when he was reporting on a previous shelling of Shojayah market in Gaza city;

Sameh Al-Aryan (Palestinian, aged 26, Al-Aqsa TV) killed by Israeli shelling when he was reporting on a previous shelling of Shojayah market in Gaza city;

31 July Mohammed Majed Daher (Palestinian, aged 27, Al-Resallah weekly newspaper) succumbed to severe injuries suffered in the bombing (without a previous warning) by an Israeli airplane of his three-floor house on Sunday 20 July in Al-Shajaiea neighborhood in Gaza city, i n the shelling of his house his daughter Dana whose age is a year and two months, his parents, his brother and his sister were killed;

1 August Abdullah Nasr Fahjan (Palestinian, aged 21, photo reporter) was taking photos at Al-Falouje street in Al-Jineene neighborhood in Rafah when an Israeli drone targeted him at around 12:20 pm, and he got severe injuries in his head, he died at around 3:00 pm;

2 August Shadi Hamdi Ayad (Palestinian, aged 24, freelance) was killed following the shelling of Alzaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City by Israeli Forces, his father who was accompanying him was also killed;

Mohammed Nur al-Din Al-Dairi (Palestinian, aged 26, Palestinian Network for Press and Media) died from a severe wounds he suffered in the head on 30/07/2014, after the shelling of the Shojae'ya market in Gaza City;

4 August Hamada Khaled Maqqat (Palestinian, aged 24), editing director of the online news site SAJA died when the IDF bombarded his house in Gaza,

13 August Simone Camilli (Italian, aged 38, Associated Press) and Ali Shehda Abu Afesh (Palestine, Associated Press) died when an unexploded missile believed to have been dropped in an Israeli airstrike blew up as Gaza police engineers were working to neutralize it in the northern town of Beit Lahiya.

Conclusion and recommendations

The large number of targets and the way in which media organizations and journalists have been attacked by the IOF, suggest that a strategy has been finalized at the highest levels of the State of Israel. Targeting non-combatants is itself a war crime that, as such, must not enjoy impunity.

The Press Emblem Campaign calls on:

Ø the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 to investigate, in the framework of his mandate, on the violation of the fundamental freedoms and rights of journalists and media workers, with a particular attention on the violation of the rights of women journalists;

Ø the members of the Independent, international commission of inquiry created by decision of the Human Rights Council[3] at its 21st Special session to investigate and identify those responsible for the crimes committed against media outlet, journalists and media workers.

[1] PEC pays tribute to the work of Palestinian Center for Development & Media Freedoms (MADA) which provided an impressive amount of reliable information, see more at http://www.madacenter.org/report.php?lang=1&id=1487&category_id=13&year=2014[2] http://www.huffpostmaghreb.com/2014/08/04/tve-alvarez-attaque-israe_n_5648135.html?utm_hp_ref=algeria[3] A/HRC/RES/S-21/1 (OP 13)

90 journalists killed so far in 2014: a new step is required by the UN in order to combat impunity

Introduction

As of the day of submission of this contribution (25th August), 90 journalists and media workers have been killed around the globe while accomplishing their duty: this brings at the end of August 2014 to 700 journalists or media workers killed since 1st January 2009 and more than a thousand since 1st January 2006.

Dozens other have been injured or were victims of harassment, intimidation, arbitrary arrests, abduction, kidnapping and torture.

Most warring situations

· Israel and the Occupied Territory of the State of Palestine:

in the context of the operation “Protective Edge” launched by the Israeli forces on 8 July 2014 on the Gaza Strip, 15 journalists have been killed (some of them being purposely targeted), many others have been injured because of the shelling of their homes, 16 Palestinian journalists have lost their homes as a result of Israeli bombing and shelling, 8 media outlets have been destroyed, in addition the Israeli army deliberately disturbed the broadcasting of 7 radio and TV stations and websites[1], many journalists have been arrested by the Israeli forces.

· Iraq:

in this country devastated by the civil war that followed the withdrawal of the US forces, the media and journalists are the victims of numerous violations of their fundamental rights, during this year of parliamentary elections, journalists were victims of harassment, threats and violence while the Iraqi authorities have showed their hostility towards media and journalists by riding into TV station and by calling third countries to close down media outlets critical to the Al-Maliki Government[2], the open conflict in the Kurd region has further worsened the situation of journalists in the capital Baghdad as well as in the Kurdish region.

· Syria:

while the government continues to exercise a strict control over the media, rebel forces continued the harassment of journalists, their abduction and the violence culminated on the 20th August with the staging of the execution (by beheading) of US journalist James Foley whose video was posted on social networks.

· Ukraine:

beside the 7 journalists and media workers killed, a large number of journalists have been victims of physical assault and beatings while often law enforcement officers present failed to respond to the incidents; a number of journalists are victim of arbitrary arrests or kidnapping[3] by Ukrainian forces while acts of harassment, confinement or detention have been allegedly committed by separatist groups in Eastern Ukraine.

· Afghanistan:

this very sensitive presidential electoral year has put again the country among the most dangerous ones for journalists and media workers, local and international journalists have been harassed, jailed, banned from leaving the country or expelled, while in a concrete step Afghan journalist’s associations have adopted a national “Code of Good Conduct” aiming at ensuring a professional and responsible approach of the information.

· Honduras:

following the coup d’état in June 2009, a severe policy censorship and crackdown on media outlets and journalists has been developed, the adoption last January by the Parliament of a law on Official Secrets and Classification of Public Information, which severely restricts the right to information and threatens the ability of independent reporters to accomplish their duty, was the starting point for a campaign of intimidation and harassment towards media and journalists, supported at the highest level of the State.

· Mexico:

the climate in the country is permanently very difficult for journalists who are not supported by the State authorities, that, on the contrary, dismiss reports on violence against journalists and recently passed a law on telecommunication which would threaten freedom of information, while the local Congress of Sinaloa State adopted a law that would severely restrict the possibility to report on criminal investigations.

A careful analysis of the list presented above helps to determine that out of the 90 victims, 59 were killed in countries where a war is going on and 16 in countries where the State authorities are engaged in an armed confrontation with criminal or political groups. This figure illustrates the fact that most of the media workers (84%) are killed in conflict situations.

The ongoing debate in the UN

Nowadays it is commonly admitted that impunity that follows crimes against journalists and media workers is the major factor that fuels the killings and violence to which this category of professionals are subject.

Moreover, the lack of legal provisions in the code of conduct of warring parties in conflict zones leads to an escalation of attacks against journalists and media workers.

The international community has certainly realized the importance of the phenomenon and the Security Council has hold two particular debates on the matter in the recent months and adopted a resolution, last year the General Assembly also adopted a resolution regarding impunity, the Human Rights Council asked two Special Rapporteurs a study on the matter, held two Panel discussions concerning the situation of journalists and media workers and adopted two resolutions on the matter. Under the auspices of UNESCO, a “UN Plan of Action on the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity” has been adopted in 2011 and implemented since, the next round of the process will take place in November.

In the course of the Panel discussion held last June, prominent human rights officers took a courageous stand. High Commissioner, Navy Pillay, called on States to adopt a zero tolerance policy towards any form of violence against journalists and to insure accountability for attacks on them. Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, Frank La Rue, joined his colleague Christof Heyns (Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions) in calling for the adoption of a specific UN instrument[4].

Conclusion and recommendations

The Summary of the Panel discussion held last June[5], presented at this 27th session, clearly illustrate the necessity, on one hand, to adopt the more global approach of “protection of journalists” (instead of “security” which is an important element of it) and new measures in order to insure a concrete protection to journalists and media workers and, on the other hand, to deepen the reflection on the ways and means to strengthen the protection of journalists and media workers, notably in conflict situations.

The PEC invites the Human Rights Council to request the Advisory Committee to put forward proposals for new ways and means to strengthen the protection of journalists and media workers.

The PEC calls upon the Human Rights Council to implement the proposal of Christof Heyns (the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions) which calls for the adoption of a specific UN instrument, and to forward it to the General Assembly for adoption.

***03.09.2014. SYRIA.PEC condemns with force the slaughtering of American journalist Steven Sotloff, urges the Human Rights Council to act

Geneva, September 3 (PEC) -- The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns with force the heinous, brutal, barbaric and horrendous crime of beheading the second American journalist Steven J. Sotloff by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS).

PEC urges the Human Rights Council to act on the protection of journalists at its next regular session which starts Monday in Geneva, and not only to repeat old statements.

Steven J. Sotloff, was shown in a video sent out September 2 by ISIS and like the previous victim, James Foley beheaded on 19 August, a masked figure stands above, wielding a knife. Mr. Sotloff addresses the camera and describes himself as “paying the price” for Mr. Obama’s decision to strike the group, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, in northern Iraq.

The slaughter of Mr. Sotloff, 31, came despite televised pleas from his mother to the leader of ISIS seeking mercy for her son, a freelance journalist who was captured in northern Syria a year ago. Steven Sotloff worked for a number of publications, including Time, Foreign Policy, World Affairs and The Christian Science Monitor. His travels took him to Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey -- among other countries -- and eventually Syria where he was taken hostage.

The current tally of journalists killed since the beginning of the year stands at 96, a record number for this period.

PEC has welcomes the statement made Sept 1 by four international freedom of expression rapporteurs which warned that: “The prevailing impunity for attacks on civilians, including journalists, encourages perpetrators to believe that they will never be held to account for their grave crimes”. The rapporteurs called "for improved international protection for anyone engaged in journalism, especially during conflict situations.”

“Attacks against journalists covering conflicts victimize individuals first and foremost, but they also harm us all,” they said. “But attacks also deter and sometimes prevent journalists from exercising their right to seek and disseminate information. Attacks deprive all of us of the right to know and to access information about critical situations around the world.”

The rapporteurs, including the new UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, Mr. David Kaye, “called for an open and committed dialogue among governments, non-state groups, journalists and other interested parties in order to strengthen protection to promote the safety and respect for those reporting on a conflict, especially to ensure that those responsible for such violence are held accountable.” PEC calls on the international community to swiftly engage in this dialogue.

***03.09.2014. UKRAINE. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) calls for a thorough and independent investigation on the death of Russian journalist Andrey Stenin

Missing in eastern Ukraine for a month, he was confirmed dead today. Working for RIA Novosti, he was traveling in a convoy containing escaping civilians when it came under heavy fire in the vicinity of Donetsk, according to news reports.

The PEC strongly condemns the shelling of civilians and urges the international community to enhance the protection of journalists in conflict zones. The PEC urges the Human Rights Council to act and not only to repeat old statements.

According to the NGO based in Geneva, with Andrey Stenin, 8 media workers have been killed since January in Ukraine. Ukraine is the third most dangerous countries after Gaza and Syria.

The current tally of journalists killed all around the world since the beginning of the year stands at 97, a record number for this period. “Journalists, in Ukraine and in the Middle East pay a heavy tribute to the ongoing conflicts. This must stop”, said PEC Secretary General Blaise Lempen.

Written statement submitted by the Press Emblem Campaign, a non-governmental organization in special consultative status*

The crimes committed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant against journalists and media workers must not enjoy impunity

Background

Seven journalists[1] and media workers have already lost their lives in Iraq in 2014 and the figures of Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) show that 47 journalists lost their lives in the country since 2009, when the United States of America handed power over to the Iraqi authorities.

Al-Maliki government in recent years has showed its hostility towards Medias (some have been just closed down) and journalists remained victims of numerous violations of their fundamental rights. Mid-July, Iraqi security forces broke into Al-Taakhi[2] headquarters in Bagdad, threatened the outlet’s employees and left with broadcast equipment, computers, mobile phones, and some money.

Even though the Kurdish Autonomous Region of Iraq has long been regarded as a quieter area, away from the turmoil that ravaged the rest of the country, journalists have always been strictly controlled by the authorities and were subject to pressure when addressing topics deemed critical by the authorities.

During the above mentioned period, hundreds of attacks against journalists have been recorded by reliable sources in Iraqi Kurdistan, with a dramatic increase in 2011, when longstanding demonstrations were held in the region. Authorities of the Kurdish Autonomous Region also violate the fundamental rights of Kurdish journalists sympathetic to other political tendencies. The great majority of those attacks enjoyed impunity.

Although there are hundreds of media outlet and despite the fact that most recently there it has been a significant growth of social media, which play a role that traditional medias never could play, self-censorship is a necessity when one wants to address some political or social topics.

The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant

The PEC expresses its deepest concern about the security conditions and the protection of journalists working in Iraq, where the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant is operating. In fact the concern goes beyond the borders of Iraq because it is in all the territory controlled by this organization that journalists have to work in extremely dangerous conditions.

On 15 June, members of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant went to the home of the family of Ali Al-Hamdani (correspondent of the Shiite satellite TV station Al-Faiha) who left the house some days earlier after receiving threats.

On 16 June, a commando of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant set fire to the Kurdistan News TV station’s offices in the Ta’mim district of Mosul.

The PEC condemns the horrific killing of James Foley reported by a video released by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant. No element of the video allows ascertaining whether the killing took place in Syria or on the Iraqi territory, but this heinous crime should not pass without bringing the perpetrators to justice in a trial that would sentence them in absentia.

At the end of that video, a militant shows a second man, who was identified as another American journalist, Steven Sotloff, who was kidnapped near the Syrian-Turkish border in August 2013 and freelanced for Time, the National Interest and MediaLine. The PEC warns that he could be next captive killed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.

Conclusion and recommendation

In recent years, neither the Al-Maliki Iraqi Government, nor the authorities of the Kurdish Autonomous Region did insure freedom and protection to media as called for by the Vienna World Conference on Human Rights or promote a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work independently and without undue interference as called for by the Human Rights Council in its resolution A/HRC/RES/21/12.

In this context, the armed confrontation with the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant increase the threats over journalists in territory controlled by this armed group.

The Press Emblem Campaign calls upon the Government of Iraq and the authorities of the Kurdish Autonomous Region:

Ø to thoroughly investigate all cases of violence against media and journalists and to held accountable those who are responsible of violations of fundamental rights and of violence and crimes against journalists;

Ø to respect their obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law and to allow, within the framework of applicable rules and procedures, media access and coverage, as appropriate, of the ongoing armed conflict.

The Press Emblem Campaign calls upon the Human Rights Council to firmly condemn all crimes committed against journalists by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.

______________________[1] The term of « journalists » includes all media workers carrying out their duty on a professional basis[2] Arabic-language daily supporting the PDK (one of Kurdistan’s two ruling parties) is run by Masoud Barzani, Kurdistan’s president.

***31.08.2014. PAKISTAN. A black-week in Pakistan’s media history-- two journalists and three media workers killed and others were brutally tortured and injured.

by ISRAR KHAN, PEC representative in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) has strongly condemned the killing of two journalists and three other media workers in various parts of Pakistan in four-day time and also expressed serious concern on the manhandling and torture on journalists and cameramen of private television channels through the hands of police while they were discharging their duties and covering anti-government sit ins in Islamabad.

Out of four provinces, three provinces including Sindh, Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkwah saw brutal killings of journalists and other media persons. Besides, many media persons and cameramen were injured by police in Islamabad on Saturday night while they were covering clashes between police and agitators who demanding the ouster of Premier Nawaz Sharif on the alleged polls rigging in 2013 general election.

Mr. Nadir Shah, the associate producer of Urdu-language JAAG Television was shot dead by unknown gunmen near his house in Korangi, Karachi late Wednesday night, August 27.

Shah was sitting near his place when four gunmen riding on two motorcycles opened fire on him, police said. He was shifted to the Jinnah Hospital but soon succumbed to his injuries, as sustained seven bullet wounds said doctors.

In another brutal incident on Thursday evening, August 28, two journalists including and an accountant of ‘Online’ news agency were killed by unknown gunmen in Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province of Pakistan.

Unidentified armed militants barged into the office of the news agency and gunned down Irshad Mastoi, the Bureau Chief of the agency and reporter Ghullam Rasool and accountant Muhammad Younas of the same agency.

Mastoi was also Assignment Editor of ARY News in Quetta and General Secretary Baluchistan Union of Journalist (BUJ).

In Mardan city of Khyber Pakhtunkwah, an office assistant Muhammad Ehsan of the Urdu-language daily ‘Mashriq’ was also shot dead when some armed men stormed into his office and killed him at the spot.

Media men tortured:

On Saturday night, when anti-government protestors tried to march towards the front of the Prime Minister house, clashes erupted and police started tear gas shelling, baton charged and even fired rubber bullets at the protestors that killed three people and more than 400 people.

As the media persons were busy in covering the clashes, police attacked at media vehicles and broken the wind screens and ‘brutally’ beaten reporters and cameramen of seven television channels. They also broke cameras of television channels.

Since August 12, tensions have gripped the country due to the standoff between the opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Tahir-ul-Qadri, the religious leader and head of the opposition party Pakistan Awami Tehreek (Pakistan People’s Movement) with Nawaz Sharif government.

Authorities in Islamabad have sealed all routes to the Red Zone, where the foreign embassies, key government buildings and important offices are located. Army troops have also been deployed to certain areas ahead of the marches.

Pakistan has a history of military coups and martial law, and the protestors – led by opposition leader Imran Khan and cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri – have raised fears of turmoil and disorder in the nuclear-armed country.

Response from Journalist Unions:

President Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Rana M. Azeem and Secretary Gen. Amin Yousuf have strongly condemned the killings of Journalists manhandling of reporters and cameramen of television channels.

The PFUJ has demanded the government to avoid attack on journalists busy in discharging their professional duties.

The journalists’ community in Pakistan has always been sacrificing their lives while discharging their duty of unearthing truth. More than 100 journalists have been martyred while hundreds have been issued threats on telephones. Renowned journalist Talat Hussain has also been threatened couple of days ago. “We have asked the government time and again to take measures for the safety of the working journalists but all in vain” the union expressed concern.

Besides, all unions of journalists in different cities have protests to condemn the killings.

***20.08.2014. SYRIA. PEC condemns the killing of James Foley, calls for a trial of the perpetrators in absentia

Geneva, Aug 20 (PEC) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns the killing of James Foley as reported by a video released by the Islamic state in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and joins the media community in mourning his loss in a barbaric method. This heinous crime should not pass without bringing the perpetrators to justice in a trial that would sentence them in absentia.

The horrific killing of James Foley brings the number of journalists killed in the line of duty since the beginning of the year to 90 journalists, a record number at this period.

At the end of the video, a militant shows a second man, who was identified as another American journalist, Steven Sotloff, and warns that he could be next captive killed. Sotloff was kidnapped near the Syrian-Turkish border in August 2013 and freelanced for Time, the National Interest and MediaLine. PEC calls for his immediate release.

Foley, 40, a freelance journalist, vanished in Syria in November 2012 while covering the Syrian civil war for GlobalPost. The car he was riding in was stopped by four militants in a contested battle zone that both Sunni rebel fighters and government forces were trying to control. He had not been heard from since.

In 2011, Foley was among a small group of journalists held captive for six weeks by the government in Libya and was released after receiving a one-year suspended sentence on charges of illegally entering the country. In a May 2011 interview about his experience, he recounted watching a fellow journalist being killed in a firefight and said he would regret that day for the rest of his life. At the time, Foley said he "would love to go back" to Libya to report on the conflict and spoke of his enduring commitment to the profession of journalism.

The PEC extends its heartfelt wishes for healing to James Foley family and friends during this very difficult time after two years of anxiety.

Geneva, August 1rst (PEC) - The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns in the strongest possible manner the killing of 9 journalists in Gaza by the Israeli offensive according to different reliable sources.

It seems that some journalists were killed accidentally and were not directly targeted by the Israeli army. This does not absolve Israel of its obligation to spare all civilians and to respect the international humanitarian law.

Palestinian journalists are taking huge risks to be testimony of the suffering of the victims. They play an essential role to document possible war crimes. The PEC salutes the Palestinian journalists as well as other journalists covering the war in Gaza.

The Geneva based NGO condemns the targeting of media installations and homes of journalists some of those media installations are no longer functional. Even if some are media of the Hamas, the international law is clear: there is no justification to deliberately target any media building.

In the Gaza offensive by Israel there is no need to enquire about the perpetrator, the perpetrator of those crimes is the Israeli war machinery which must be brought to justice.

The PEC calls on all parties to spare all civilians, including journalists, and when it is not possible to distinguish clearly journalists, the PEC reminds all parties to not target media vehicles and media buildings.

According to the Human Rights Council Resolution of 23 July the Council called on Switzerland as depository of the Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols to convene the conference of the contracting parties to ensure that international law be implemented in the occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) and here the PEC would call upon the contracting parties to enforce the legal protection of journalists and to recognize the press emblem.

Since the beginning of the year 76 journalists have been killed. The figure of this year up to date is higher than the figure during the same period of last year which stood at 69 killed, that is 7 more journalists.

***23.07.2014.Gaza: PEC welcomes the special session of the Human Rights Council(for Arabic,see below)

Geneva, July 23 (PEC) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) welcomes the Special session of the Human Rights Council organized Wednesday in Geneva on the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The NGO supports the statement of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navy Pillay which stresses that civilians must not be targeted and that civilian homes are not legitimate targets unless they are being used for, or contribute to, military purposes at the time in question.

The PEC condemned the killing of journalists in armed conflicts as well as targeting media offices and homes of journalists under any circumstances.

On Tuesday the Israeli army targeted Al-Jazeera offices in Gaza and following the attack the Doha based station withdrew its team from the offices.

Israeli forces also continued shelling journalist's houses. The journalist and producer Rima Mahmoud Abu Sabha, 26, reported that Israeli forces shelled her house by two rockets without a previous warning. Therefore, her father was killed, and their one-floor house, where 11 people live, was destroyed. Eight people, who live in her uncle's house which is next to their house, were injured. Then Israeli airplanes shelled the remaining of the house again.

On 20 July, the Israeli forces committed another crime against Palestinian Journalists when they killed the photo reporter Khalid Hamad, 26, who works for the Continue TV production company. He was wearing a press jacket, while he was covering Israeli military operations on Al-Shujaieh neighbourhood in Gaza city.

The PEC suports the call launched by the Palestinian Authority and the Human Rights Council that "the Government of Switzerland, in its capacity as depositary of the Fourth Geneva Convention, promptly reconvene the conference of High Contracting Parties to the Convention on measures to enforce the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and to ensure its respect in accordance with article 1 common to the four Geneva Conventions".

On this occasion, it would be important to reaffirm the principles of the protection of journalists as independent witnesses in armed conflicts and discussions must start on putting in place new mechanisms of protection as well as access and enquiry. As of today, according to the PEC, 69 journalists were killed in 22 countries since January this year.

Geneva, PEC (22 July) – According to the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) biannual report 61 journalists were killed in 22 countries since the beginning of this year, a figure higher than that of the first 6 months of 2013 where the number of killed journalists stood at 59 journalists.

PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen noted that there is no improvement in the protection of journalists. He added that the great number of conflicts have increased dramatically the risks facing media workers.

“With the current pace and with new media victims falling in the Gaza war it is expected that the tally for 2014 could become one of the worst in the recent years,” stressed Lempen.

PEC Secretary-General said that with 7 media workers killed in Ukraine the torn country becomes with Iraq the most dangerous country for media work even ahead of Syria. “It is very worrying that a European country heads the list of most dangerous countries while in the past Europe did not flag in the statistics of killed journalists”, he said.

Since January, according to the PEC records, 7 media workers were killed in Ukraine, as well as another 7 in Iraq, and six in Syria.

Following the first three most dangerous countries comes Afghanistan, Brazil, Central African Republic and Pakistan with 4 journalists killed in each country.

Mexico, the Philippines, Honduras follow in rank with three journalists killed in each country.

Two journalists were killed in Cambodia, Libya, Paraguay and Somalia respectively.

While one journalist was killed in the following countries: Bangladesh, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, India Lebanon, Panama and Saudi Arabia.

By region the Middle East and North Africa lead as the most dangerous region with 17 journalists killed. Asia follows, 15 killed, Latin America 14 killed, Sub-Saharan Africa with 8 killed and Europe 7 killed.

The great majority of journalists were killed in conflict zones (41 out of 61).

In July, since the start of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, already two media workers were killed in Gaza. PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi calls upon the international community to impose on Israel the implementation of the laws of war and Human Rights so as not to target media workers and media buildings, and to stop committing massacres against helpless civilians. According to the PEC criteria, 129 journalists were killed in 2013 and 141 media workers in 2012.

***13.07.2014. GAZA. PEC calls upon the Israeli authorities to allow media workers to carry on their work (Arabic below)

Geneva, July 14 (PEC) - As the conflict enters its second week, the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) calls on Israel to respect the laws of war and to refrain from killing civilians and media workers. The PEC calls upon the Israeli military authorities to distinguish between combatants and media workers, to spare the media installations from being targeted and to allow media workers to carry on their work.

Journalists must be able to document other facets of the conflict such as the launching of Hamas rockets at Israel. The NGO based in Geneva condemned strongly last week the killing in Gaza of Hamed Shehab, 27, who worked for a local press company Media 24. He was driving a car that had the letters “TV” affixed to it in large, red stickers when it was struck by an Israeli missile.

PEC secretary-General Blaise Lempen said that with seven journalists killed in Syria, six in Iraq, six in Ukraine, four in Afghanistan and four in Central African Republic media workers already paid a heavy tribute to the upsurge of conflicts this year.

Geneva, June 23 (PEC) – The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) joined hands with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and called upon Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to release the sentenced journalists including Australian journalist Peter Greste.

Three Al-Jazeera journalists who have been held in Egypt since December have been sentenced to seven years in jail, according to an Ahram Online reporter at the courthouse.

The three defendants are Australian Peter Greste, Egyptian-Canadian Mohamed Fahmy and Egyptian Baher Mohamed.

They have been on trial along with 17 others on charges of "spreading false news," falsely portraying Egypt as being in a state of "civil war," as well as and aiding or joining the backlisted Muslim Brotherhood.

The Australian journalist and two other reporters working for the Qatar-based Al Jazeera English have been detained since December and are among 20 accused, in a trial that has triggered international outrage amid fears of growing media restrictions in Egypt.

The PEC believes that such a course is a dangerous precedent affecting freedom of opinion and expression and becomes a dangerous impediment to the work of journalists.

The Geneva based NGO condemns the sentence and believes it is an extreme course that Egypt could have avoided. (end)

“Today three colleagues and friends were sentenced, and will continue behind bars for doing a brilliant job of being great journalists. “Guilty" of covering stories with great skill and integrity. "Guilty" of defending people’s right to know what is going on in their world.

“Peter, Mohamed, and Baher and six of our other colleagues were sentenced despite the fact that not a shred of evidence was found to support the extraordinary and false charges against them. At no point during the long drawn out “trial” did the absurd allegations stand up to scrutiny. There were many moments during the hearings where in any other court of law, the trial would be thrown out. There were numerous irregularities in addition to the lack of evidence to stand up the ill-conceived allegations.

“There is no justification whatsoever in the detention of our three colleagues for even one minute. To have detained them for 177 Days is an outrage. To have sentenced them defies logic, sense, and any semblance of justice.

“The support shown for Mohamed, Peter, and Baher has been loud, unified, and determined, and has come from every corner of the world. The call for their freedom has come from journalists, people right around the globe, as well as leaders worldwide. This great solidarity is a stand for basic freedoms - the freedom of speech, for the right for people to be informed, and for the right for journalists around the world to be able to do their job. And, of course, a demand to free our colleagues.

“There is only one sensible outcome now. For the verdict to be overturned, and justice to be recognised by Egypt. We must keep our voice loud to call for an end to their detention. Alongside us is a worldwide solidarity, a global call for their release, and a demand for basic freedoms to be respected. The authorities in Egypt need to take responsibility for their actions, and be held to account by the global community.

“We will continue with resolve and determination until Baher, Peter, and Mohamed are free and safely reunited with their families.” (end)

The Press Emblem Campaign draws the attention of the Council on the dire situation of journalists in armed confrontation or conflict situations.

First of all in Ukraine, where a civil unrest has turned to a civil war which may escalate into a sub-regional conflict. With reference to our written statement (A/HRC/26/NGO/52), we express our concern as, since the beginning of the civil unrests last November, hundreds of cases of different kind of physical and/or psychological violence against journalists and media workers have been reported; five media workers have lost their lives. Last Wednesday, the UN Security Council voiced its deepest condolences to the families of all journalists who have been killed while covering the crisis in Ukraine, and encouraged a thorough investigation of all such incidents. Among the casualties are two Russian journalists killed on 17 June, and an Italian photojournalist who was killed on 24 May along with his Russian interpreter.

According to different reliable sources, hundreds of local and international journalists and media workers were wounded during the mass protests that took place in Kiev and other localities, an increasing number of broadcasting (TV and radio) stations and newspapers have also been targeted by armed groups and the facilities have been damaged, broken or stolen; some have been banned from broadcasting and even closed down.

We wish to underline here that all parties involved in the confrontation are responsible for acts of violence against media workers. As in every armed confrontation, the propaganda utilised by all actors calls for a free and protected access to journalists and media workers in the field in order to ensure the widest possible coverage of events and to allow for the greater diversity of perspectives.

In Israel and in the occupied territory of the State of Palestine, Palestinian journalists continue to be subject of harassment and acts of violence from Israeli security forces which pushed away journalists while being in an area dedicated to media, threw grenades at photographers and allowed demonstrators to attack journalists without protecting them. The PEC calls on the Israeli Government to ensure a safe and enabling environment for journalists and media workers.

Finally, the PEC denounces the climate of censorship and threats pursued by the Iranian authorities against journalists. Media outlet criticizing the Government policy have been closed, journalists have been imprisoned while the elected candidate Rohani promised, during his presidential campaign, for an environment of freedom of expression for journalists.

23rd June 2014

***17.06.2014. UKRAINE. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) strongly condemns the killing of two journalists near Lugansk in Ukraine.

Two journalists for Russian TV channel Rossiya have died from wounds sustained during a Ukrainian military shelling attack near Lugansk, eastern Ukraine, according to various reports. Reporter Igor Kornelyuk passed away on the operating table, a doctor at the hospital confirmed to RT. The doctor told RT that "sadly, he has passed away."

The second alleged victim is sound engineer Anton Voloshin. According to RT's information, he died immediately at the scene. The Rossiya channel crew consisted of three people with only one of them, Viktor Denisov, the cameraman, surviving the Ukrainian military shelling.

The PEC expresses its deep sadness and offer its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims.

“We are shocked by the death of these media workers. The crisis in eastern Ukraine is getting more and more violent and dangerous for the journalists covering it. We call on all parties to the conflict to respect the work of journalists, regardless of the editorial policies of their news organizations”, said PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen.

Denisov told LifeNews how he managed to get out of harm’s way during the attack that claimed his colleague’s life. The cameraman said he was standing 100 meters from the spot where the mortar exploded.

“I must say I was really lucky, I’d walked toward our cars, about 100 meters away, and that’s when the shelling started. My colleagues were supposed to have been out of the range of fire, but for some reason one of the shells flew straight into them,” Denisov said.

When the attack began, Denisov ran toward the fleeing residents, who stood nearby. They managed to escape together. Speaking to Vesti, Denisov recounted the events that transpired in the initial minutes of the shelling.

He recalled getting closer to shoot some footage, but was told not to go further. As soon as soldier motioned with his hand for everyone to get down, Denisov heard the pop next to the defense forces.

“This is when I ran over to our guys and to the soldiers that had been wounded in the explosion, all the while trying to get some footage and help to get the fleeing people to safety. We walked for a kilometer,” he said. “Walking in the open was dangerous. The sound of exploding mines could be heard the entire time. We had shrapnel fly in our direction.”

The killing in a mortar attack of two russian journalists follows the murder of Italian photojournalist Andrea Rocchelli and his Russian fixer and interpreter, Andrei Mironov, by mortar fire near Sloviansk, in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region on 24 May. William Roguelon, a French photographer working for the Wostok Press agency who was with them, sustained leg injuries from the same shell.

Rocchelli, Roguelon, Mironov and their driver were caught in an exchange of fire in Andreievka, a village a few kilometres south of Sloviansk, on the evening of 24 May. Roguelon said “between 40 and 60 mortar shells” were fired, one of them landing in the ditch in which they had taken cover.

Many more journalists were physically attacked or injured in Ukraine in the first five months of this year.

***17.06.2014. SYRIA. 26th session of the Human Rights Council. Report of the international commission of inquiry - PEC statement delivered by Gianfranco Fattorini, PEC Permanent Representative at the UN

General AssemblyHuman Rights Council26th session

Item 4 - Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention

Report of the Independent international commission of inquiry on the situationin the Syrian Arab Republic

Mr. President,

The Press Emblem Campaign thanks the members of the Independent international commission of inquiry of remaining attentive to the particular situation journalists have to face in the Syrian Arab Republic and for highlighting the danger of the extension of the armed confrontation to Iraq as two Iraqi journalists have already lost their lives in recent days in northern Iraq. The PEC is particularly concerned by the radicalization of the armed groups which may be conducive to a regional destabilization and calls for an urgent reinforcement of the protection of journalists and media workers.

Indeed, Syria was the deadliest country in the world for media workers in 2012 with 37 media workers killed and again in 2013 with 17 media workers killed. Since the beginning of the civil unrest that turned to a civil war, 61 media workers have paid with their life their professional commitment in the Syrian Arab Republic.

The PEC wish to point out here that all parties involved in the internal conflict, the governmental forces as well as the armed opposition groups and the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria are responsible of arbitrary arrests, abduction, kidnapping, physical and psychological torture, extrajudicial killings or murder. This situation, regrettably, leads to a form of self-censorship from the media outlets which are reluctant to send correspondent in the field.

While welcoming the recent release of two Spanish and four French journalists, the PEC is still concerned about the important number of journalists held in detention or hostages. The PEC calls on all factions involved in the Syrian conflict to release unconditionally all journalists and media workers.

The PEC calls on the Commission of Inquiry to continue to investigate and to report to the Council about the fate of Mazen Darwish, Director of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression, who was arrested in February 2012. Darwish and his two colleagues Hani Zitani and Hussein Al Ghurair are still held in arbitrary detention.

Finally, the PEC would like to ask a question to the members of the Commission: considering that the State is responsible of the majority of the crimes committed against journalists in Syria and that at the same time the State has the primarily responsibility to protect journalists and media workers which would be in your view, the best way to protect journalists in the Syrian Arab Republic?

Our organisation welcomes this second Panel on journalists’ rights four years after the first one which focused on “Protection of journalists in armed conflict”. Since then, the Council had the opportunity to examine at its 20th session the reports presented respectively by the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions (Mr. Heyns) and by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression (Mr. La Rue) and, at its 24th session, the report prepared by the Office of the the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

In order to apprehend correctly the problems faced by journalists[1] and media workers and thus better identify challenges and good practices we firmly believe that it has to be kept in mind that the great majority of the media workers are killed in conflict situations, violent civil unrest or in countries where the State authorities have to face political or criminal armed movements: all kind of situations where the State cannot develop policies and practices in a regular way; on the contrary, authorities are militarily engaged in a confrontational struggle against a more or less large part of the population.

In this context, while recognizing the valuable contribution of the above mentioned studies to the reflection on violence suffered by journalists, including their murders, we believe it would be more appropriate, as requested by the Council itself in Resolution 21/12, to consider the Protection of journalists at large instead of limiting the reflection on Safety only, which of course is an important element of the Protection.

As highlighted in our written statements (A/HRC/24/NGO/47 and A/HRC/26/??), impunity is the major challenge governments, and the international community as a whole, have to face when they truly want to protect journalists. The Press Emblem Campaign is still convinced that only an independent, international mechanism accessible not only to journalists themselves, but to their families too, would be able to combat effectively the impunity accompanying violence against journalists.

We do hope that the conclusions to this Panel will lead us to a step further on the road to the adoption of a specific UN instrument as Mr. Heyns called for in the Conclusions of his report[2] - for which Mr Frank La Rue the UN special rapporteur on freedom of expression also called during the panel today - and we look forward to participating to these efforts."

11 June 2014

[1] The term “journalists” includes all media workers accompanying them.

FYI - Opening remarks of Ms Navi Pillay, United Nations High Commissionner for Human Rights - Panel discussion on the Safety of Journalists

Mr. President,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak on this important topic. Sound, bold and independent journalism is vital in any democratic society. It drives the right to hold and express opinions and the right to seek, impart and receive information and ideas. It ensures transparency and accountability in the conduct of public affairs and other matters of public interest. And it is the lifeblood that fuels the full and informed participation of all individuals in political life and decision-making processes.

The safety of journalists is quite simply essential to the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of all of us, as well as to the right to development. However, to my consternation, more than a thousand journalists have been killed since 1992 as a direct result of their profession. 2012 and 2013 were among the deadliest years, and at least 15 have been killed since the start of this year. In many States, the perpetrators of these attacks could virtually count on impunity. According to reports, between 2007 and 2012 fewer than one in ten killings of journalists resulted in a conviction.

Many more journalists have faced violence, harassment and intimidation – including abduction, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, expulsion, illegal surveillance, torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, and sexual violence against women journalists. They have been tried on spurious grounds such as espionage, threats to national security or alleged bias. Many have been sentenced to excessive terms of imprisonment, and they often suffer unreasonably long pre-trial detention. Prompt and fair trials are as much a right for journalists as for us all.

In recent years, there has been increased international awareness of the frequency with which journalists are attacked because of their work, and the need to ensure greater protection. The Security Council, the General Assembly, and this Human Rights Council have adopted resolutions condemning attacks against journalists. They have called upon all States to act on their legal obligations to promote a safe and enabling environment for journalists, so that they can perform their work independently and without undue interference.

In 2012, UNESCO, in collaboration with my Office and other UN agencies, developed the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, which is now being implemented in five pilot countries: Iraq, Nepal, Pakistan, South Sudan and Tunisia. Regional organizations, including the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, have also taken initiatives.

As requested by this Council, my Office presented at its 24th session a report on good practices in the protection of journalists, including the prevention of attacks and the fight against impunity. Today's panel discussion will, I hope, be a platform to share experiences and ideas about how best to put those key points into practise.

Allow me to remind you that above all, there must be unequivocal political commitment to ensuring that journalists can carry out their work safely. The international legal framework for the protection of journalists is in place. It must now be implemented at the national level. States must create an enabling environment in which the rights of journalists and other members of society can be fully respected, with clear and public agreement by officials that issues of public interest can, and should, be examined and discussed openly in the media. They must also adopt legislative and policy measures for ensuring the safety and protection of journalists and other media workers, with zero tolerance of any form of violence against journalists, and full accountability for any such violence.

Linked to the issue of political commitment is the question of who can be considered to be a journalist. From a human rights perspective, it is clear: all individuals are entitled to the full protection of their human rights, whether the State recognizes them as “journalists” or not; whether they are professional reporters or “citizen journalists”; whether or not they have a degree in journalism; whether they report online or offline.

The Human Rights Committee, in its General Comment no. 34, has defined journalism as “a function shared by a wide range of actors, including professional full-time reporters and analysts, as well as bloggers and others who engage in forms of self-publication in print, on the Internet or elsewhere”.

Last year the General Assembly also acknowledged, in resolution 68/163, that “journalism is continuously evolving to include inputs from media institutions, private individuals and a range of organizations that seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds – online as well as offline – in the exercise of freedom of opinion and expression, thereby contributing to shape public debate.”

I urge States to approach the issue under discussion from this human rights perspective, and to protect journalists and other media workers in the broadest sense.

Another key good practice is the creation of an early warning and rapid response mechanism to give journalists and other media actors immediate access to the authorities, and to protective measures, when they are threatened. Such a mechanism should be able to provide protection, including emergency evacuations and safe havens. It should be established in consultation with journalists and other media actors and organizations, and should comprise representatives from State bodies concerned with law enforcement and human rights, together with representatives from civil society, including journalist and media organizations.

Most importantly, States must combat impunity.Every act of violence committed against a journalist that goes uninvestigated, and unpunished, is an open invitation for further violence. Ensuring accountability for attacks against journalists is a key element in preventing future attacks. Failure to do so may be interpreted as tolerance of, or acquiescence to, violence. The investigation and prosecution of all attacks against journalists through an effective and functioning domestic criminal justice system is imperative, and there must be remedy for the victims.

Examples of good practices in this regard include the creation of special investigative units, or independent mechanisms to carry out investigations, with specialized expertise. Specific protocols and methods of investigation and prosecution can be developed. Law enforcement and military personnel, as well as prosecutors and the judiciary, may require training regarding their obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law, with a focus on the safety of journalists. I encourage States to examine, reinforce and replicate such initiatives.

I am convinced that much more can be done to protect the vital work of journalism. I look forward to your discussions, and I trust they will identify workable solutions that will improve the safety of journalists on the ground.

Navi Pillay - 11 June 2014 - salle XX - Palais des Nations

***06.06.2014. 26th session of the Human Rights Council. Written statements delivered by the Press Emblem Campaign on 1) journalists in Ukraine and 2) the safety of journalists

United Nations A/HRC/0/NGO/X General Assembly Distr.: General

English only Human Rights Council

Twenty-sixt session

Agenda item 4

Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention

Written statement* submitted by Presse Embleme Campagne, a non-governmental organization in special consultative status

The Secretary-General has received the following written statement which is circulated in accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31.

[26 May 2014]

Journalists need protection in Ukraine

The Press Emblem Campaign draws the attention of the Human Rights Council on the situation of journalists and media workers in Ukraine. Since the beginning of the civil unrests last November, hundreds of cases of different kind of violence against journalists and media workers have been reported; three journalists have lost their lives, the last one being killed on the same day of writing this contribution (24 May 2014).

Like in other countries where violent and armed confrontation prevails, in Ukraine too journalists and media workers are targeted physically and psychologically and have become victims of different forms of violence, torture and killing.

While in the period 2005 to 2010, the independence of the media in Ukraine increased and legislative measures allowed the establishment of a safe and enabling environment for journalists and media workers, since 2010 the situation has constantly deteriorated leading to an atmosphere of diffused self-censorship.

The political crisis erupted last November, which turned into an internal armed conflict, has had a dramatic impact on the working conditions of journalists.

According to different reliable sources, hundreds of local and international journalists and media workers were wounded during the mass protests that took place in Kiev and other localities; when attacked by protestors, the security forces did not protect them; sometimes the victims were deliberately targeted by governmental forces although they were readily recognizable as media workers.

An increasing number of broadcasting (TV and radio) stations and newspapers have also been targeted by armed groups and the facilities have been damaged, broken or stolen; some have been banned from broadcasting and even closed down. Journalists and media workers have been victims of brutality, threatened, harassed and beaten, forced to resign; some have been deported, kidnapped, abducted or detained by different armed groups or the governmental forces. Often their equipment is seized.

An increasing number of journalists and media workers are banned from entry into Ukraine or Crimea, although they are duly accredited by the State authorities.

Recommendations

The Press Emblem Campaign calls on:

Ø the Ukrainian and Russian authorities to ensure journalists and media workers can carry out their duty freely and to bring to justice those responsible for the offences and crimes committed against journalists and media workers;

Ø a prompt and independent investigation on the circumstances which led to the murder of the italian photojournalist Andrea Rocchelli and his Russian translator on May 24 near Slavyansk;

Ø the Human Rights Council to consider innovative initiative conducive to a better protection for journalists and media workers in situations of violent or armed confrontation.

United Nations A/HRC/0/NGO/X General Assembly Distr.: General

English only Human Rights Council

Twenty-sixt session

Agenda item 3

Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development

Written statement* submitted by Presse Embleme Campagne, a non-governmental organization in special consultative status

The Secretary-General has received the following written statement which is circulated in accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31.

[26 May 2014]

Journalists need protection in order to ensure their safety

Focus on the subject

As of the day of submission of this written contribution (25 May 2014), 44 journalists and media workers have been killed around the world in 2014. The deadliest countries being Iraq and the Syrian Arab Republic with 5 victims each followed by the Central African Republic, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Brazil with 4 victims each and Ukraine with 3 victims. An undefined number (between 30 and 50) are detained or held incommunicado either by governmental forces or non-State actors, mainly in the Middle-East region.

In order to apprehend correctly the problems faced by journalists and media workers and thus better identify challenges and good practices it has to be kept in mind that the great majority of the media workers are killed in conflict situations, violent civil unrest or in countries where the State authorities have to face political or criminal armed movements: all kind of situations where the State cannot develop policies and practices in a regular way; on the contrary, authorities are militarily engaged in a confrontational struggle against a more or less large part of the population.

This is evident when one looks at the recent year’s statistics[1] of killed journalists and media workers. In 2013, out of the 129 victims, 17 were killed in the Syrian Arab Republic, 16 in Iraq, 14 in Pakistan, 11 in the Philippines, 8 in Somalia, 7 in Egypt, 6 in Brazil, 5 in Mexico, 3 in Afghanistan, Colombia and Libya. In 2012, out of the 141 victims, 37 were killed in the Syrian Arab Republic, 19 in Somalia, 12 in Pakistan, 11 in Brazil and Mexico, 6 in the Philippines, 3 in Gaza/Israel, Nigeria, Eritrea and Iraq, 2 in Afghanistan and Colombia. In 2011, out of the 107 victims, 12 were killed in Mexico, 11 in Pakistan, 7 in Iraq and Libya, 6 in the Philippines and Brazil, 5 in Yemen, 4 in Somalia, 3 in Afghanistan, Egypt, India, Peru and in the Russian Federation, 2 in Syria and 1 in Colombia, Gaza (OPT). In 2010, out of the 110 victims, 14 were killed in Mexico and Pakistan, 10 in Honduras, 8 in Iraq, 6 in the Philippines, 5 in Nigeria and in the Russian Federation, 4 in Brazil, 3 in Somalia and Nepal and 2 in Afghanistan.

In these circumstances, there is no doubt that impunity is the fuel of the more than thousand journalists and media workers killed in the last 10 years, whether the responsible of the crimes belong to the State authorities or to a political or criminal armed group.

Due to the role journalists play in informing the public and in contributing to transparency and accountability in the conduct of public affairs, it is essential for the international community to have as many of them as possible on the ground to report and analyse specific situations so that the plurality of the reports can insure a broader image of the reality and a better understanding of the challenges of a crisis. Governments have to accept the idea that journalists are influenced by their education, cultural and philosophical background and opinions as well as by their respective editorial instructions.

The limitations of existing international instruments

The reports presented to the twentieth session of the Human Rights Council by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression[2] and the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions[3], as well as the report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on good practices concerning the safety of journalists[4] clearly demonstrate that none of the existing mechanisms, at the national, regional or international level, is instrumental in combating impunity, notably against the crimes committed in conflict situations.

While all those norms, rules, policies and practices can be effectively instrumental in reinforcing freedom of opinion and expression, including freedom of the press, in a peaceful world, they suddenly become powerless when a situation of tension and armed confrontation arises in a country.

The International Humanitarian Law, even though it offers protection to journalists and media workers as civilian (in other terms as human beings not participating to the conflict) it does not provide them with a real protection for the duty they are carrying out. In reality, journalists and media workers have no protection at all since their specific role is not formally recognized.

There is an urgent need for the international community to adopt a more comprehensive approach of a global protection of journalists and media workers which could concretely combat the plague of impunity with independent special mechanisms for investigation and prosecution.

Conclusion

In his report[5] to the Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions invited States and relevant United Nations bodies and agencies, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, to explore the need for a specific United Nations instrument.

The Press Emblem Campaign considers that the time has come for the international community to take further steps in order to strengthen the protection of journalists and media workers and invites the Human Rights Council to request a study to its Advisory Committee.

The director general of the Hirondelle Foundation Jean-Marie Etter receiving the PEC Award 2014 for the Protection of Journalists at the Swiss Press Club in Geneva (photo pec) (other photos, speeches on our page PEC AWARD)

During the ceremony for the PEC Award 2014, at Palais Eynard, from right to left: the mayor of the city of Geneva Sandrine Salerno, PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi, the director general of the Hirondelle Foundation Jean-Marie Etter and PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen (photo pec)

Geneva (PEC, 4 June 2014) The Press Emblem Campaign awarded its annual prize for the protection of journalists Wednesday in Geneva to the Hirondelle Foundation. The PEC Committee thus recognized the support provided by the Foundation to the journalism profession in Africa and its efforts to counter the propaganda and hate that intensify conflict.

By awarding the prize this year to Africa, the PEC is also honoring the memory of those who have sacrificed their lives these past months in order to inform: Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon, from Radio France Internationale, killed in Kidal in Mali on 2 November; Kennedy Germain Mumbere Muliwavyo, from Radio-television Muungano Oïcha, killed in North Kivu in DRC on 16 February; Désiré Sayenga, from the Démocrate, killed in Bangui in CAR on 30 April; René Padou, from Voix de la Grâce radio, who died from his wounds in Bangui in CAR on 5 May; and Camille Lepage, a French photographer killed in Gallo in CAR on 13 May.

“The Executive Committee of the PEC was unanimous. While conflicts have recently made numerous victims in Mali, the Central African Republic (CAR), South Sudan, Somalia and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the necessity of independent and impartial information is imperative. The Hirondelle Foundation has been striving in this direction for 19 years. Bravo!” declared PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen.

“In all armed conflicts, journalists take enormous risks to bear witness to the worst of human suffering. In Africa, twenty years ago, the Rwanda genocide was preceded by the diffusion by the media of propaganda inciting to hate and violence. This must not happen again. The control of information is a major element in armed conflicts. Employees of Ndeke Luka radio, supported by the Hirondelle Foundation were threatened with death on 7 May in Bangui because they were broadcasting reliable information,” stated Blaise Lempen.

PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi joined hands with the PEC Secretary-General to congratulate the Hirondelle Foundation and it's work: “This year, the PEC is honoring the admirable work of the Hirondelle Foundation in Africa. It is exemplary. It is my hope that the laureate Foundation will join our efforts and help to mobilize support for our draft convention in Africa”.

Abdel Nabi added that she hopes the Foundation can start work in Egypt, where ten journalists have been killed since 25 January 2011, the date marking the revolution that ousted former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak. “Young journalists”, she added, “are those who pay the highest price, being used by newspapers to cover the field with no insurance or protective measures.”

The Director General of the Hirondelle Foundation, Jean-Marie Etter, thanked the PEC for the award: “The PEC award, given by journalists, is a human and professional recognition that is precious for us. Central African journalists live constantly under the threat of violence and death, within murderous communities. Their daily life is inhabited by fear, and their future circumscribed. In these conditions, it is extremely difficult to produce independent journalism, and it requires immense courage and conviction”.

“The very existence of independent media in regions in crisis is at stake. The challenge is political, economic, professional. It is central to peace, but little known”, added Jean-Marie Etter.

The PEC thanks the Administrative Council of the City of Geneva for is support on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the PEC and its support for the prize awarded this year to the Hirondelle Foundation.

Since 1995, the Hirondelle Foundation has been creating and supporting media devoted to general, citizen independent information, in order to contribute to peace and citizenship in areas of conflict and endemic crisis. It is an organization of professional journalists, for the most part from French, Swiss and British public service media. It attributes great importance to credibility, through the rigorous and factual journalism of its members, who are nationals of the countries where the media are based, currently CAR, DRC, Mali, Tunisia, South Sudan, Guinea and Ivory Coast, after having worked in Rwanda, Liberia, Kosovo, Timor and Nepal. Its 2013 budget was over CHF 10 million (US$ 11 million).

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) was founded exactly ten years ago by a group of journalists accredited to the United Nations in Geneva with the purpose of reinforcing the protection of journalists in areas of conflict. It enjoys consultative status with the United Nations and intervenes regularly at the Human Rights Council to alert governments and denounce abuses. It works to sensitize the international community to this problem, which is becoming ever more serious as evolution of conflict becomes ever more chaotic, and promotes a better observance of international law. Last year, 129 journalists died in the exercise of their profession throughout the world. As of the end of May, in the five months since the beginning of the year, they already numbered 47.

The award for the Protection of Journalists is given each year by the PEC board. It recognizes an individual or an organization that has worked in conflict zones for the defense of press freedom and media workers. The prize was awarded in 2013 to the NGO Cerigua in Guatemala; in 2012 to the Syrian Democrats and the Center for the freedom of media of Mazen Darwish; in 2011 to the militants of the Arab Spring in Tunisia, Libya and Egypt; in 2010 to the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility and to the Fund for the Victims of Ampatuan in the Philippines; in 2009 to the Palestinian NGO MADA.

***15.05.2014.PEC condemns horrific attack on British Journalists in Syria

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns in the strongest possible manner the appalling attack by rebel kidnappers on two British journalists in Syria yesterday, Wednesday 14 May.

According to media reports, Times writer Anthony Lloyd and photographer Jack Hill had spent several days reporting from the city of Aleppo and were returning to the Turkish border early on Wednesday when the car they were travelling in was forced to the side of the road. Lloyd was bound to the back seat of a car, while Hill and a local guide were put in the boot before being driven to a warehouse in the town of Tall Rifat.

Reports say that Hill and a guide attempted to escape, but they were recaptured. Hill was severely beaten while Lloyd was shot in the legs to prevent him from escaping. They were eventually freed and managed to cross the border into Turkey after receiving treatment in a Syrian hospital.

Both PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi and PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen thanked God that the two British journalists were freed. The PEC since the beginning of the internal conflict in Syria has labeled the country as the most dangerous for media work (read also on OTHER NEWS)

The PEC deeply saddened by the murder of a young French journalist in the Central African Republic

Geneva (PEC, 14 May 2014) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns the murder in the Central African Republic of a young French photo-journalist, Camille Lepage. She is the 41rst journalist killed in the world since the beginning of the year. It is disturbing to note, after the murder of Anja Niedringhaus in Afghanistan last month, that courageous women photographers are more and more targeted.

Six months after the murder of two French reporters from RFI in Mali, another French journalist, the photographer Camille Lepage, 26 years old, was killed while reporting in the Central African Republic (CAF). The French president François Hollande, who announced on Tuesday, 13 May, the death of the young woman from Angers, then stated to the media that Camille Lepage had "no doubt been ambushed".

"That was two days ago. Camille Lepage was accompanied by anti-Balaka militia during her reporting. They were apparently ambushed by the armed elements that plague the region. She was fired upon, and they recovered the body as well as those of her companions. An inquiry has been opened to determine the exact circumstances of her death," explained a French military source to AFP.

The PEC welcomes the promise of President François Hollande to deploy "all necessary means to shed light on the circumstances of this murder and to find the murderers". The United Nations Security Council "strongly condemned" the murder and called for an investigation by the Central African authorities.

Camille Lepage's work was published by Le Monde, The Sunday Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal. She had covered the Egyptian revolution in 2011 and was in South Sudan in 2012.

Two other journalists were killed in the unrest in the Central African Republic two weeks ago.

The PEC will award its next Journalist Protection Prize, given each year in Geneva, on 4 June, to honor the struggle of journalists in Africa.

***30.04.2014. PEC statement for the World Press Freedom Day 2014 (French and Arabic versions after English)

PEC dedicates World Press Freedom Day 2014 to three journalists killed in Afghanistan and one in Egypt during the past two months

Geneva (30 April 2014) – The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) is dedicating World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) Saturday, to three brave journalists killed in Afghanistan in the past two months and one in Egypt. The PEC also wants to jointhe call of many other organizations to integrate freedom of the press in the UN sustainable development objectives post 2015.

The PEC honors the sacrifice of a colleague laureate German photographer Anja Niedringhaus who worked for the Associated Press (AP) and was based in Geneva. The board of the PEC knows well Anja Niedringhaus who was killed on April 4 in Khost by the bullets of blind fanaticism while covering the will of the Afghan people to move to democracy.

The PEC also honors the memory of Nils Horner, the correspondent of the Swedish radio, killed in Kabul on March 11, and the memory of Sardar Ahmad, a senior journalist of Agence France-Presse (AFP) killed in Kabul on March 20.

"Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world and is passing through a very critical period of its troubled history. For journalists to be there as witnesses on the ground is a duty and very dangerous. The courage of our colleagues is exemplary", said PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen.

Up to date, a total of 34 journalists were killed since the beginning of the year in 14 countries; they were victims of violence mainly in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Egypt, Pakistan, Brazil, and Ukraine.

Hedayat Abdel Nabi, PEC President, pays a special tribute to honor Mayda Ashraf a young courageous journalist killed by the bullets of hatred while covering a violent demonstration in greater Cairo, Egypt, last month.

Today, in Egypt, after 10 journalists were killed since the start of the 25 January 2011 revolution, journalists are signing a petition and the numbers are coming close to 1000 signatures to support the PEC draft convention to protect journalists in conflict zones and dangerous situations.

PEC calls for the integration of freedom of the press in the UN objectives post-2015

On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the PEC joins the call of many other organizations to integrate freedom of the press in the UN sustainable development objectives included in the post 2015.

The theme of this year’s World Press Freedom Day 2014 is ”freedom of the media for a better future: contributes to the development agenda post 2015”.

The PEC calls on the Open Working Group to fully integrate the governance recommendations of the UN High Level Panel of Eminent Persons Report (A New Global Partnership: Eradicate Poverty and Transform Economies through Sustainable Development) into the proposed Post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals, specifically in relation to its recommendations to: Establish a specific goal to “ensure good governance and effective institutions” and to: Include as components of this goal a clause to "ensure people enjoy freedom of speech, association, peaceful protest and access to independent media and information" and to "guarantee the public's right to information in all circumstances".

The PEC underlines that in order to guarantee the right to public information it becomes an absolute must to protect the security of journalists under all circumstances and at all times including in dangerous situations.

Journalists are independent witnesses without them very often serious human rights violations and violations of humanitarian law pass unchecked.

PEC 10th anniversary

The PEC will celebrate its 10th anniversary inJune. The NGO based in Geneva worked for a decade and more to mobilize the international community to proceed to strengthening the protection of journalists. Important texts were adopted on the safety of journalists by consensus at the UN Security Council in December 2006, by the Human Rights Council in 2012 and in December 2013 by the UN general Assembly.

However the PEC finds its work more needed than ever and a vital contribution since some 1000 journalists have been killed in a decade.

It is the hope of the PEC that during the June panel organized by the Human Rights Council on the Safety of journalists more progresses will be done, especially related to respect of good practices, the struggle to combat impunity and mechanisms of follow-up and pursuit of justice.

PEC concerned by the deterioration in Ukraine

In a world engulfed by many conflicts, threatening world peace, more efforts are indispensable to avoid that each week two journalists are killed while exercising their professional duty.

The PEC is particularly worried about the increasing tensions in Ukraine where two journalists have been killed since the beginning of the year. Other journalists, including foreign journalists were interrogated and detained, and others were hindered from doing their work, while media buildings were occupied by armed groups to censor the news or to deviate the information.

The Geneva based NGO condemns all attempts to halt the exercise of free and independent flow of information by the media throughout Ukraine.

***28.04.2014.Secretary-General report to the General Assembly on the implementation of General Assembly resolution 68/163 - PEC contribution as requested by the United Nations(consult for reference the text of the resolution on our page Documents)

Introduction

Since the adoption of GA resolution 68/163, according to our organisation figures, 41 media workers have lost their lives in carrying out their duty. An undefined number (between 30 and 50) are detained or held incommunicado either by governmental forces or non-State actors, mainly in the Middle-East region.

Last year (2013), the second deadly year for media workers in the last ten years, 129 media workers were killed in the line of duty in 28 countries because of the coverage of several armed conflicts. Among those 129 victims 90 of them (70%) were killed in conflict zones or in violent unrest. Three quarter of them were intentionally targeted, others were killed mostly accidentally in bomb attacks. In 75% of the cases the victims are local media workers.

Almost none of these killings have been investigated and, like for the 96% of the more than thousand media workers killed in the last 10 years, the crimes remain unpunished.

Awareness is rising

Confronted to this new reality where the journalist who hunts information become a prey for terrorist groups, insurgents, paramilitary and governmental forces, the professional institutions have developed a number of tools in order to better prepare the media workers to work in dangerous situations.

International organisations, as well as trade unions, have developed training courses that enable media workers to acquire the basic knowledge of how to behave and to react in situations of armed confrontation or social tension.

Notably because of the increasing number of killed journalists and media workers around the world, the issue of their safety and protection has upgraded in the agenda of the international community.

Focus on the subject

While the issue of the safety of journalists has upgraded in the agenda of the international community, the PEC considers that a number of disturbing confusions may undermine the appreciation of the problems faced by media workers as well as their role and can jeopardize the analysis leading to the protection of them.

Media workers, journalists and their technical support colleagues, have been prepared for years in order to perform their job and they are bound by ethical rules to which private individuals are not.

Media workers are influenced by their education, cultural background, philosophical opinions and editorial instructions so that they can hardly be compared or assimilated to human rights defenders.

Due to the role journalists play in shaping public opinions, it is essential for the international community to have as many of them as possible on the ground to report and analyse specific situations so that the plurality of the reports can insure a broader image of the reality and a better understanding of the challenges of a crisis.

That is why media workers: need a specific protection that goes beyond the purpose of the IV Geneva Convention.

The limitations of existing international instruments

The reports presented to the twentieth session of the Human Rights Council by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, as well as the report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on good practices concerning the safety of journalists clearly demonstrate that none of the existing mechanisms, at the national, regional or international level, is instrumental in combating impunity, notably against the crimes committed in conflict situations.

Policies implemented by governments aimed at establishing a safe and enabling environment for media workers are effective only when a culture of freedom and plurality of opinion is already accepted. This is not the case of the large majority of countries confronted to mass uprising and violent confrontation or internal conflict: something else must ensure the protection of media workers.

Among his recommendations, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions invited States and relevant United Nations bodies and agencies, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, to explore the need for a specific United Nations instrument (A/HRC/20/22 par. 124).

Move from Impunity to the “Zero tolerance” culture

The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action in 1993 already called for the protection of the media, a concept which is much larger than just security.

Impunity is without any doubt the main cause of the large number of killing of media workers as well as the growing phenomenon of violence against them such as torture, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and arbitrary detention, as well as intimidation and harassment, notably in conflict zones.

The most worrying aspect of this issue is that, too often, governmental authorities are the perpetrators of the crimes and that no action at all is taken in order to investigate and punish the responsible: one can assume that those acts are part of a deliberated policy of the State.

Under these conditions, it is unrealistic to believe that the State itself will conduct an independent inquiry on the crimes committed against a media worker. Only an international mechanism can insure a prompt and independent investigation that would be able to offer the protection media workers deserve.

PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi (left) received from Egypt's Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy (right) the Foreign Ministry Medal for outstanding media work during the very difficult times of Egypt's foreign policy. Abdel Nabi, after the ceremony, handed to the Minister the PEC draft Convention to Protect Journalists in Conflict Zones and Dangerous Situations.

Journalists meet to create the international initiative to protect journalists-Egypt branch

Cairo-April 22 ( IIPJ)- In response to the growing attacks against journalists in Egypt, a group of journalists have met and established the International Initiative to Protect Journalists (IIPJ)-Cairo branch- whose objective is to solicit public support among journalists for the PEC Draft Convention to Protect Journalists in Conflict Zones and dangerous situations.

The IIPJ whose membership is of young Egyptian journalists also call upon newspapers to appoint trainees and insure that those who will cover in the field are properly trained and insured upon.

The group chose PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi, as President and

AbdelGawad Abukab as Secretary-General.

Ten journalists so far have been killed in Egypt since the 25th of January revolution.

The IIPJ will hold its second meeting next Saturday to mobilize 1000 journalists to sign the PEC draft convention.

PEC first quarter report: 27 journalists killed in 3 months PEC worried about the protection of journalists during demos

Geneva (PEC) 3 April – The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) has registered the killing of 27 journalists in 13 countries since the beginning of the year while exercising their profession and is worried at the growing number killed during the coverage of demonstrations.

5 journalists were killed in Iraq which makes it again the most dangerous country for media work, followed by Pakistan 4 killed, same figure for Brazil, 3 in Afghanistan, 2 in Syria and 2 in Mexico.

One journalist was killed in the following countries: Saudi Arabia, Cambodia, Colombia, Egypt, Lebanon, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Ukraine.

During the same period the tally last year stood at 30 journalists killed.

Violent demonstrations in many countries

Since the beginning of the year four journalists were killed in demonstration’s coverage: one in Brazil, one in Egypt, one in Pakistan and one in Ukraine.

Many others were wounded physically attacked and hindered from doing their work during the coverage of popular uprisings in Ukraine, Brazil, Turkey, Egypt and Venezuela.

PEC secretary-general Blaise Lempen noted that during uprisings demos escalate and turn into violence in many countries and journalists who are there to cover and pay testimony are put in direct danger due to the violence.

Lempen added that the PEC calls upon the authorities of law and order to respect the independence of journalists and to guarantee in an effective manner their protection during popular uprisings.

PEC reminds that the United Nations adopted at the 25th session of the Human Rights Council a resolution on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of peaceful protests (A/HRC/25/L20) which stated:

“8. Calls upon all States to pay particular attention to the safety of journalists and media workers covering peaceful protests, taking into account their specific role, exposure and vulnerability;

12. Calls upon States to investigate any death or significant injury committed during protests, including those resulting from the discharge of firearms or the use of nonlethal weapons by officials exercising law enforcement duties;”

The PEC reminds governments of their obligations as well as keeping the journalists safe during the cross fire or sniper activity.

In addition the PEC denounces the fact that a dozen of foreign journalists including four French are detained in inhuman conditions since months in Syria.

Lempen stressed that such prolonged detention is scandalous and for families of the detained it equals torture.

The perpetrators of those kidnappings in Syria must be held accountable.

Growing support in Egypt

PEC president Hedayat Abdel Nabi uncovered the growing movement in Egypt following the killing of the young Egyptian journalist Mayada Ashraf last Friday during a pro-Muslim brother demonstration in Cairo.

Abdel Nabi noted that dozens of young Egyptian journalists have pledged to endorse the PEC draft convention for the protection of journalists in conflict zones and dangerous situations.

She added that they have placed on Facebook an event carrying the name of the PEC in Arabic and the draft convention is flagged on the page event.

They plan, she said, is to collect thousands of signatures to endorse the draft then bring the endorsement to the attention of the Egyptian government in order to move to a historic step to sign it.

She called upon journalists who face similar circumstances in popular uprisings in other countries to follow suit.

ISLAMABAD: The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) has expressed grave concern over the pathetic condition of journalists’ safety in Pakistan where media is passing through the worst time of its 67-yer history. Journalists, television anchors, and media houses are under a constant threat of militants’ attacks, as they have been warned several times by Taliban, “If you are not with us, then don’t be against us.”

The outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a local group of militants who also have tentacles of Al-Qaida and harboring in Pakistan’s Tribal areas bordering Afghanistan has put dozens of journalists and television anchor on its hit list to be targeted if found a chance. These journalists are boldly exposing and criticizing their brutalities.

Taliban declare war on Media:

The trade unions and senior media practitioners have termed it a new war of ‘sword and pen, camera and bomb, and microphone and gun’. The militants organization two-month back in February went to the extent that it issued a 29-page fatwa (religious decree) against the media and warned it, “If you are not with us, then don’t be against us. Be impartial, otherwise ready for your death.” It further said that a few security men cannot guard you, if we can hit military installations, then what you are.

It blamed that Pakistani media is working for infidels and is not impartial and fair in coverage. It has been acting as propagandists and continuously lying about the TTP.

It was the first time that TTP took a clear stance against Pakistani media. It indicates that the media has a very deep impact on Pakistani society and it is afraid that media is awakening the masses against their brutalities and militancy which they (militants) think could become a serious threat to their existence.

Taliban have disclosed to the journalists who have sources in TTP that they have a hit-list of about six dozen journalists’ and television anchors who are working against them. However, they will not disclose the names and are keeping a vigilant eye over them if found chance will target them.

Express Media Group under constant attacks:

In a latest case of violence against media, unidentified gunmen opened fire on the car of Express television anchor and analyst Raza Rumi in Lahore, injuring him and killing his driver. The attack took place just he left office after hosting his television programme.

Although he had not received any direct threats, he was reportedly on the hit-list of some extremist groups. “Was fired at near Raja Market… I was dreading this day,” Rumi tweeted soon after the attack.

After the attack in an interview with his channel he said, “We will continue to speak the truth and not back down. Politicians will not benefit from remaining quiet while journalists are muzzled… these bullets will target them tomorrow if they do not take notice today,” he said. “There will be no security or governance left in Pakistan.”

Nobody has claimed the responsibility for the attack on Rumi, however fingers are still raised towards same militant outfit. Obviously, it will not openly claim the responsibility, as it will be then considered as violation of a month-long ceasefire agreement with government.

This was the fifth attack on Express Media group during last few months. On March 19, a bomb was also found outside the residence of Express television bureau Chief Mr. Jamshed Baghwan in Peshawar.

In another assault, four armed men fired indiscriminately outside the entrance of the Express Media Group office in Karachi, injuring two members of staff, including a guard who is paralyzed and a woman on August 16, 2013.

On December 2, 2013, three people were injured when the Karachi office came under attack. Two hand grenades were hurled at the office building, while unknown assailants opened indiscriminate fire. The TTP later claimed its responsibility.

On January 17, three employees of the same television channel were brutally killed in Karachi when militants targeted its digital satellite news gathering (DSNG) van. In this attack, technician Waqas, driver Khalid, and guard Ashraf were killed.

After killing these staffers, TTP claimed the responsibility and its former spokesman Ihsanullah Ehsan told Express TV that the channel had been attacked, as Taliban considered its coverage biased. They will continue attacking journalists whom they disagree. The Express television quoted Ehsan as saying, "Channels should give coverage to our ideology. Otherwise we will continue attacking the media."

Journalists Casualties from Jan-March 2014:

Since January 2014, four Pakistani journalists have been killed in various parts of the country. Besides, score of journalists have been tortured through the hands of militants, political parties and sometimes agencies.

On the eve of New Year, Mr. Shah Dahar, a senior journalist of a news television channel ‘Aaab Tak’ was targeted in Badha area of Larkana, Sindh province. He was taken to hospital in serious condition, but unfortunately next morning on Jan 1, he succumbed to his injuries.

Interestingly, Dahar had nominated the culprits before his death in a statement that indicates that he was targeted for his reporting. He was working on a story about sale of government medicines at local private drug stores. Shan captured some footage for samples of medicines available at private drug stores as proof to highlight the corruption depriving the poor from due right to get medicine purchased by government by national exchequer money.

Drug store owners were annoyed with him. Shan received threatening calls and text messages from some unknown numbers and he subsequently informed Police of the area and showed the threatening text but no action was taken timely and lethargy led to the killing.

On January 30, the body of a missing journalist Mr. BakhTaj Yousafzai was found in district Mardan of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He was brutally slaughtered by unidentified men and dumped his body. He was working with a local Urdu language daily Manzareaam. He got married six months ago and had no enmity with anyone.

On Feb 2, Senior Journalist and Reporter of Daily Balochistan times Quetta Mr. Muhammad Afzal Khwaja and his driver were shot dead by armed men along Dera Allah Yar road in Balochistan. Police said that they were returning from Jacobabad in a vehicle, as their vehicle reached in Cattle Thana police area, five armed men standing along Dera Allah Yar road signaled to stop the vehicle but driver took it away. Gunmen opened fire in which they died on the scene.

Mr. Ibrar Tanoli who was attached with a London-based Reuters’ news agency as stringer photojournalist, reporter with a local paper and General Secretary of Mansehra press club was seriously injured by unidentified gunmen in District Mansehra, Pakistan on March 2, 2014. He was taken to hospital in serious condition where he latter succumbed to his injuries next day (March 3).

Nawaz Sharif government’s military action against Militants:

The government had opened negotiations with the TTP to end its bloody seven-year insurgency. But still there was violence against media, public and military. It was media that pushed Nawaz Sharif’s government to take action against the banned TTP in North Waziristan and other parts of the tribal areas. The Pakistani Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, has pledged to do more to protect Pakistani journalists.

After accurately precisely targeting their hideouts, dozens of militants were killed. The talks remained stalled for more than two months.

To get things going again, the Pakistani government used its unmanned drones to effectively create fear and disarray. Seeing the drones made them feel threatened — as if something bad is coming soon. Not long after, Taliban announced a month-long ceasefire and agreed to resume negotiations with the government.

They are using this mountainous region borders Afghanistan as a springboard to carry out major terrorist attacks inside Pakistan.

Aerial military strikes against these local and foreign militants forced them to flee the area and are now desperately searching for a safe spot to hide. They are moving near a restive region along the Afghan–Pakistan–Iran border and Afghanistan’s Nimroz province. The lingering threat of an expected full-scale military offensive strike has also pushed the disbanded TTP to announce a month-long ceasefire and hold purposeful talks with the government.

Mayada Ashraf, 22 years of age, an active, brave and courageous journalist, had been covering for the past months pro-Muslim brotherhood demonstrations, Friday's was one of the worst in the district of Ein Shams.

Reports claim that Mayada was targeted by pro-Muslim brotherhood thugs, was shot in the neck while covering clashes in the northern neighborhood of Ein Shams.

The PEC, while lamenting with deep sorrow the killing of the Egyptian journalist, awaits the results of the investigations into her death and who shot her.

Item 8 - Follow-up and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action

General debate

Mr. President,

In 1993, at the Vienna World Conference on Human Rights, underlining the importance of objective, responsible and impartial information about human rights and humanitarian issues, the international community encouraged the increased involvement of the media, for whom freedom and protection should be guaranteed[1].

In adopting resolution 21/12, this very Council calleduponStates to promote a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work independently and without undue interference.

Since the adoption of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, the killing of media workers, as well as the number and the different forms of interference have increased dramatically, in particular in zones of conflict and in countries confronted with turmoil and civil unrests.

The Press Emblem Campaign is deeply concerned by the fact that dozens of journalists were injured while covering the violent demonstrations in Kiev. Many of these journalists were deliberately targeted although they were clearly identifiable and not participating in the protests; none of their cases have been yet properly investigated.

The PEC is equally concerned by the different form of threats journalists have to face in Crimea since the annexation of the province to the Russian Federation. Several media workers have been reportedly abducted, arbitrarily arrested, beaten threatened, tortured and they belongings were damaged, sequestered or stolen.

The PEC, recalling GA resolution 68/163 adopted last December, calls on the Ukrainian and Russian authorities to do their utmost to prevent violence against journalists and media workers, to ensure accountability through the conduct of impartial, speedy and effective investigations into all alleged violence against journalists and media workers falling within their jurisdiction and to bring the perpetrators of such crimes to justice and ensure that victims have access to appropriate remedies.

The Press Emblem Campaign denounces the limitations imposed and the harassment on media workers in Israel and in the Occupied Palestinian Territories by both, the Israeli and the Palestinian authorities. Ultimately the lack of protection given to media workers in the most longstanding conflict is matter of deep concern for our organization.

Observers witnessed an unprecedented escalation of violations against journalists by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) in the West Bank; the Israeli violations against Palestinian journalists are the most dangerous, life threatening, and the most frequent, but the Palestinian violations are still high in numbers.

According to the Annual report 2013 published two weeks ago by the Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA), the total violations of media freedoms in Palestine during 2013 were 229. The Israeli occupation committed 151 violations in the West Bank only, while various Palestinian parties committed 50 violations in Gaza and 28 in the West Bank. The different kind of violations are: physical assault, detention, arrest, prevention from coverage, travel bans, interrogation, threat, raiding, closing and blocking, trial, and confiscation of equipment.

February witnessed a serious escalation of violations by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) against journalists in the occupied Palestine, embodied by the targeting of journalists with rubber bullets and tear gas, preventing them by exercising violence from covering events, the detention of a cartoonist, and extending the administrative detention of another journalist.

The PEC is particularly alarmed by and strongly condemns the growing number of violations of the rights of women journalists in the West Bank as well as in Gaza. Here women journalists face numerous threats due to their profession, including the threat of fabrication of a moral case against the journalist if she continues her criticism of the local government.

Considering the important role media workers have to play in providing information from different sources to the public and to the decision-makers, particularly, in a situation of foreign occupation and conflict, , we invite the Special Rapporteur to include in his report a section dedicated to the situation of media workers in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

I thank you for your attention.

***19.03.2014. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL. 25th session. PEC STATEMENT DELIVERED AT THE OCCASION OF THE GENERAL DEBATE by the PEC Representative at the United Nations

The year 2013 has been the second deadly year for media workers in the last ten years because of the coverage of several armed conflicts. 129 media workers were killed in the line of duty in 28 countries. Among those 129 victims 90 of them (70%) were killed in conflict zones or in violent unrest. Three quarter of them were intentionally targeted, others were killed mostly accidentally in bomb attacks. Details of the geographical distribution of the casualties can be found in our written contribution (A/HRC/25/NGO/107). As of today, 24 media workers have been already killed in 2014, which represents more or the less the same monthly average as last year.

The Press Emblem Campaign is particularly concerned about the situation of journalists and media workers in conflict zones. We have to stress here, on one hand, the particular role journalists and media workers play in providing information to the public and the decision makers and, on the other hand, the importance to have different sources of information, which is the only guarantee to give everyone the possibility to have an accurate picture of a troubled situation.

The Press Emblem Campaign calls on the attention of the Council on the growing phenomenon of severe intimidation media workers have to face in conflict zones, notably arbitrary arrests, abduction and kidnapping, either for political reasons or merely to finance the armed struggle.

The PEC expresses its deep concern about the large number of media workers arrested and detained for unreasonable long term in Turkey and in Egypt, as well as about the climate of violence against media workers and the impunity prevailing in Pakistan, especially in conflict zones.

Impunity at large, fuels violence and violations of human rights, war crimes and crimes against humanity; States have the primarily responsibility to implement international law and protect human rights. The impunity linked to the crimes committed against media workers fuels those crimes; States have to find the adequate mechanism to effectively protect media workers in conflict zones.

The time has come to move from a culture of impunity to a “zero tolerance” culture towards violence against journalists and media workers.

I thank you for your attention.

***18.03.2014. SYRIA - Report of the commission of inquiry - PEC STATEMENT DELIVERED AT THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL by the PEC Representative at the United Nations Gianfranco Fattorini

General AssemblyHuman Rights Council25th session

Item 4 - Human rights situations that require the Council’s attentionReport of the Independent international commission of inquiry on the situationin the Syrian Arab Republic (A/HRC/25/65)

Mr. President,

The Press Emblem Campaign commends the Independent international commission of inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic for its report and expresses its appreciation for its established practice to have a particular section dedicated to the situation of journalists facing all possible violation of their fundamental rights which remain unpunished.

The PEC strongly condemns hostage-taking and arbitrary detention of more than 30 foreign journalists occurred during last year, with at least a dozen of them still held for several months in inhuman and unjustifiable circumstances; PEC calls upon all States to cooperate for their immediate release and contribute to respect international humanitarian law in accordance with their obligations. We invite the IICI to update the Council with the list of media workers detained or kidnapped either by the Syrian government or the opposition armed groups, a practice that should be considered as a crime and, as such, cannot be accepted.

Indeed, Syria was the deadliest country for media workers in 2013 and, as of today, since the closing of the last session of this very Council, the PEC counts 5 more media workers killed in the country. We wish to point out here again that PEC statistics counts only professional journalists and media workers in order to highlight the specific mission accomplished by them that, in our view, requires a specific protection.

The PEC expresses its deep concern about the different forms of threat posed on media workers by the armed opposition groups and vigorously denounces the inhuman or degrading treatment imposed on media workers. Self censorship has become the most vicious and pervasive way to silence journalists in Syria; with many leaving the country. We wish to call the attention of the IICI on the case of Mrs Sevra Baklaci a Turkish journalist who is subject to death threat by opposition groups because she conducted a research on the crimes committed against the Alawites.

The PEC honours the courage of the journalists who created the Syria’s first independent Kurdish-language newspaper Nu Dem (New Time).

Finally, the PEC is still very concerned about the fate of Mazen Darwish, Director of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression, who was arrested in February 2012 and is still held in arbitrary detention with his two colleagues Hani Zitani and Hussein Al Ghurair are. The PEC calls again on the Commission of Inquiry to investigate and to report to the Council on this particular case.

I thank you for your attention.18 March 2014

***11.03.2014.PEC statement. A bloody month of March - The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) dismayed by the killing of 5 journalists in 4 days

Geneva, 11 March 2014 (PEC) - The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns today in the strongest terms the killing of 5 journalists in 4 days, all in conflict zones: 2 in Syria, 2 in Iraq and 1 in Afghanistan.

The NGO based in Geneva calls for a thorough investigation into the brutal murder of Swedish journalist, Nils Horner (51), in Afghanistan today. He was shot dead in Kabul, as he conducted interviews ahead of next month’s presidential election in Afghanistan. The motive for the killing of the veteran journalist working for Sveriges Radio is unknown.

The PEC is also sad to learn that Canadian freelance photographer Ali Mustafa (30), born in Toronto, was killed in Syria last Sunday by a barrel bomb in Aleppo, apparently while photographing the destruction caused by an earlier bomb.

Another journalist was killed in Syria, a Lebanese journalist, Omar AbdelQader, last Saturday, 8 March. According to media reports, Qader, a cameraman for Beirut-based satellite television channel Al-Mayadeen, was shot by a sniper while covering clashes between regime forces and rebels in the province of Deir Ezzor.

Two journalsits were killed in Iraq in the province of Babel Sunday, 9 March. Cameramen Muthanna Abdul Hussein and Khaled Abdel Thamer, who were working for the Al Iraqia TV Channel, were killed in an explosion caused by a suicide bomber who was targeting the al Athar check point at the northern entrance of the city of Hilla. The IJS says the cameramen were covering the distribution of voting cards from the police electoral center in the city when the attack occurred. A total of 14 journalists have now been murdered in Iraq since October last year.

Since the beginning of this year, the trend is very worrying: according to the PEC, 24 journalists were killed in the line of duty. The PEC is urging the UN Member States to consider new guidelines for the protection of journalists on the occasion of the panel organized by the Human Rights Council next June.

The necessity to move to a “zero tolerance” culture towards violence against media workers in order to insure their protection

The year 2013 has been the second deadly year for media workers in the last ten years because of the coverage of several armed conflicts. 129 journalists were killed in the line of duty in 28 countries.

In 2012, 141 journalists were killed, a record figure due to the deadly Syrian conflict. The number of journalists killed in Syria in 2013 has decreased however abductions of foreign journalists have increased: 15 so far are still in captivity in Syria or have disappeared.

Using the same yardstick, 107 journalists were killed in 2011, 110 in 2010 and 122 in 2009. A total of 609 journalists have been killed during the past 5 years; on average: 122 per year and 2,3 per week, one every three days.

Among the 129 journalists killed in 2013 around the world 90 (70%) were killed in conflict zones or in violent unrest. Three quarter of them were intentionally targeted, others were killed mostly accidentally in bomb attacks.

Overview

The journalists covering the Middle East were the hardest hit 44 (34%), followed by Asia 37 (29%), then Latin America 27 (21%), Africa follows with 18 (14%) ahead of Europe 3 (2%).

Syria ranks first in 2013 as the deadliest country for media workers for the second year with 17 journalists killed. Iraq comes second with 16 killed, followed by Pakistan with 14, the Philippines 11 and India with nine killed.

According to the PEC observations, the situation has unfortunately deteriorated again in Iraq after an improvement: 16 journalists were killed in the country in 2013 against 3 in 2012.

Somalia comes in 6th place with 8 killed against 19 in 2012. Egypt follows with 7 killed, a marked deterioration following the 30 of June revolution that led to the ousting of former President Morsi. Brazil ranks in 8th position with 6 journalists killed (against 11 in 2012), and Mexico 5 (against 11), Guatemala follows with 4 journalists killed.

Afghanistan, Colombia, Honduras, Libya and Russia witnessed the killing of 3 journalists in each country. Two journalists were killed in Haiti, Kenya, Mali, Paraguay. And one in each of the following countries: Cote d’Ivoire, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Nigeria, Peru, Uganda, Tanzania and Yemen.

At least another 15 foreign journalists were freed or were successful in fleeing captivity, marking the total to a high of 30 kidnapped or disappeared in 2013.

Those kidnappings in Syria by armed groups are unprecedented; even in Iraq between 2003 and 2006 this high figure was not common which renders the coverage of the ongoing war in this country extremely dangerous for journalists. Those armed groups only seek financing of their armed struggle which places them on the level of criminal groups.

The PEC calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all journalists detained or abducted in the Syrian Arab Republic.

Pakistan: a high environment of impunity

Pakistan is a country selected by the United Nations for its Action Plan against Impunity. During last several years, Pakistan has consecutively remained the third deadliest country for journalists on this globe. According to the list of the PEC, 11 journalists were murdered with impunity in 2011, it further roses to a dozen journalists’ casualties in 2012 and in 2013 it further inched up to 14.

This appalling record is constantly drawing attention of world community and media defense groups including the PEC that are calling upon Pakistani government for greater journalist’s protection, and investigation and prosecution of the murderers of more than 100 journalists.

Dozens of journalists have been intimidated, abducted, attacked and injured, but except a few, others ‘kept mum’ and did not report due to ‘high environment of impunity’ they are experiencing in other journalists’ cases who are either been killed or seriously injured in line of duty.

Enormous threats are posed to the journalists’ safety in Pakistan, especially in conflict zones. Scores of journalists have been killed in these regions including Baluchistan and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) that is bordering Afghanistan.

Journalists who had been threatened with death have relocated themselves and their families to safe places or resorted to self-censorship. Many have been killed by militants, but sometime fingers are also raised at state agencies.

In March 2013, international media support groups, UN representatives, journalists trade unions, civil society and associations working on journalists’ safety and media freedom gathered in Islamabad in a two-day international conference and launched the United Nations Action Plan against Impunity, in Pakistan. Another international conference was held in Pakistan and launched ‘Pakistan Coalition of Media on Safety (PCOMS)’which is an alliance of media stakeholders seeking to promote a unified agenda of safety for journalists, media workers and media establishments in the country to take advantage of global UN plan against impunity in Pakistan.

Nawaz government’s information and broadcasting minister assured during first meeting of the PCOMS steering committee in October 2013 that the government of Pakistan will extend support for the implementation of the UN Action Plan with the help of the PCOMS. The government will fully support the efforts of the UN and its partners in Pakistan for combating impunity against journalists for keeping them safe. The PEC will follow closely the concrete actions taken by the government in this regard.

Progress at the international level

Progress has occurred while mobilizing the international community, the Security Council has convened two meetings on the protection of journalists, the UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution and the Human Rights Council decides to convene in June 2014 a Panel discussion on the same issue, while UNESCO continues the implementation of its Plan of action.

This awakening is a great success for organizations that defend journalists; now the question is what has to be done in order to effectively protect journalists in conflict zones.

More recently in Ukraine dozens of journalists were injured during the demonstrations in Kiev et one murdered. It shows the need of further reflection on how to protect media workers in conflict zones and violent unrests. Since the beginning of 2014 to February 20, 16 journalists were killed inthe line of duty.

Conclusion

With less than 5% of the cases of media workers’ killing solved in the last 10 years, impunity remains the major cause of the high number of victims. The PEC is firmly convinced that the time has come to move from the impunity culture to a culture of “zero tolerance” towards violence against media workers.

Santiago Andrade, a Brazilian cameraman, was badly wounded in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday evening when he was struck in the head by an explosive device while covering clashes between protesters and the police. He remained in critical condition on Friday after four hours of neurosurgery, according to the local Globo news site.

Mr. Andrade’s injury was captured on video by colleagues from the BBC, who rushed to his aid.

A BBC News video report on fare-price protests in Rio on Thursday showed a Brazilian cameraman being badly injured.

A Russian state news agency later published footage that showed a flare burning on the pavement before suddenly becoming airborne and striking the journalist in the head.

Video from the Russian state news agency Ruptly showing a Brazilian journalist being wounded at a protest in Rio on Friday.

Globo reported that a photographer who also recorded the events leading up to the injury said that the device burning on the ground near Mr. Andrade had been thrown by a masked man in a gray T-shirt, shown running away just before the explosion.

However, another witness, a videographer for the activist news collective Jornal Zona de Conflito Mídia Independente, insisted in a Facebook post that showed the incident from yet another angle that the projectile seemed to have come from police lines.

Brazilian cameraman Santiago Andrade, who was injured in clashes between protesters and police last week in Rio de Janeiro, is brain dead, doctors say Monday morning (February 10).

***20.01.2014. PAKISTAN. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) shocked to report on the brutal killing of three employees of a private television channel network in Karachi

ISLAMABAD: The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) has saddened and deeply shocked to report on the brutal killing of three employees of a private television channel network through the hands of Taliban in port city of Karachi, Pakistan on Friday, 17 January.

The incident took place in the evening when a van belonging to the Express television network parked near the Matric Board Office as part of routine field deployment.

It left technician Waqas , driver Khalid, and guard Ashraf injured. They were rushed to the hospital where they succumbed to their wounds.

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) with whome, the government is in war since several years. This banned organization has killed thousands of civillionas and law enforcement personels in Pakaistan. It has claimed the responsibility for the ‘deadly attack’ on media workers accusing the Express channel and others media outlets of supporting the government. TTP think that Pakistani media is ‘propegating agaisnt Islam and Taliban’ and also threatened further violence against media outlets.

Ehsanullah Ehsan, a former TTP spokesman, told Express TV that the channel had been attacked, as taliban considered its coverage biased.They will continue attacking journalists whome they disagree. The Express television quoted Ehsan as saying, "Channels should give coverage to our ideology. Otherwise we will continue attacking the media."

The television station was attacked twice last year, with the TTP claiming responsibility for one of the incidents in December 2013. On August 16 last year, firing outside the Express media group in Karachi, two employees of the same group- a security guard and woman were killed.

“It is an attack on the entire journalist communinty of Pakistan,” journalists protesting in all over the country said. Three sacred professions including mediacal staff, worship places and journalists are under attack in Pakistan which had always been cared of even in war, they say.

The government’s reaction

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif while condemning the attack on the media workers formed a two-member commiitee to immidiately cordinate with the media houses and asses the thretas they are facing.

Journalists, media outlets and civil society members held protests across the country to show solidarity with media. The information minister, speaking to Express News, said “Militancy was an issue for all Pakistanis and not just the media, as educational institutions and places of religious worship were also not safe.”

PEC Rep in Islamabad, Israr Khan

***14.01.2014. PEC ANNUAL REPORT FOR PAKISTAN, third deadliest country in 2013 after Syria and Iraq with high environment of impunity

ISLAMABAD/GENEVA, January 14 (PEC) The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) expressed grave concern on continuous unabated ‘violence and intimidation’ against media in Pakistan. An ‘high environment of impunity’ has been breeding violence against media and ultimately seriously affecting ability of journalists to exercise ‘freedom of expression’.

During last several years, Pakistan has consecutively remained the third deadliest country for journalists on this globe. According to the list of the PEC, 11 journalists were murdered with impunity in 2011, it further roses to a dozen journalists’ casualties in 2012 and in 2013 it further inched up to 14.

This appalling record is constantly drawing attention of world community and media defense groups including the PEC that are calling upon Pakistani government for greater journalist’s protection, and investigation and prosecution of the murderers of more than 100 journalists.

Dozens of journalists have been intimidated, abducted, attacked and injured, but except a few, others ‘kept mum’ and did not report due to ‘high environment of impunity’ they are experiencing in other journalists’ cases who are either been killed or seriously injured in line of duty, the Swiss-based PEC notes.

Threats to Journalists, Media Houses and Self-censorship

Enormous threats are posed to the journalists’ safety in Pakistan, especially in conflict zones. Scores of journalists have been killed in these regions including Baluchistan and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) that is bordering Afghanistan. Even in peaceful and settled areas including Karachi and Peshawar, journalists have been killed in last several years. Journalists who had been threatened with death have relocated themselves and their families to safe places or resorted to self-censorship. Many have been killed by militants, but sometime fingers are also raised at state agencies.

Besides journalists’ killings, big private print and electronic media houses have been attacked in port city of Karachi. On August 16 last year, firing outside the Express media group in Karachi, two employees of the same group- a security guard and woman were killed. During this year, cases were registered against ARY television channel in trouble province of Baluchistan under Pakistan’s Anti-terrorist Act 1997. The television aired a video clip of the destruction of the residence of Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah where he spent his finals days in 1947 after Pak-India partition. The government claimed that the airing the footage can incite violence or glorify the crime and was in contravention of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA).

UNESCO campaign against impunity In March 2013, international media support groups, UN representatives, journalists trade unions, civil society and associations working on journalists’ safety and media freedom gathered in Islamabad in a two-day international conference and launched the United Nations Action Plan against Impunity, in Pakistan. The UNESCO has selected Pakistan as one of the five pilot countries where its Action Plan will be implemented to check the killing of journalists. The other pilot countries include Nepal, Iraq, South Sudan and Mexico.

The PEC is one of the active supporters to the UN action plan and has been proactively making efforts for promoting security and safety of journalists in Pakistan. It is also striving for mobilizing the international community on the issue of impunity for violence against journalists which is of great importance for ‘democracy and respect for human rights’.

Last year in the international conference, ‘The International Friends of Media Alliance on Safety’ was established that comprised of Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Media Legal Defence Initiative (MLDI), Article 19, International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Freedom House (FH), International News Safety Institute (INSI), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), International Media Support (IMS), UNESCO, International Press Institute (IPI), Internews Network, International Federation of Freedom of Expression (IFEX), Amnesty International (AI), World Association of Newspapers (WAN-IFRA) and Fojo Institute.

The PEC keeps a vigilant eye on the cases of violence against media in Pakistan and timely reporting on it and also conveys the message to the Pakistani high authorities and government over and over again to push it on ensuring journalists’ protection and freedom of expression. Progress on Local Media stakeholders’ Response

Keeping in view the high environment of impunity against Journalists, an international conference last year held in Pakistan and launched ‘Pakistan Coalition of Media on Safety (PCOMS)’ which is an alliance of media stakeholders seeking to promote a unified agenda of safety for journalists, media workers and media establishments in the country to take advantage of global UN plan against impunity in Pakistan.

Currently, PCOMS is working on “National Charter on Media Safety” to outline priorities, collaborative and individual actions, develop resources, tools and mechanisms, to promote a unified agenda of safety and security of journalists, media workers and media establishments of Pakistan. Although not a concrete development has been made so far, however we are approaching to all stakeholders including the government, media houses, newspapers associations, broadcasting association, journalists trade unions and others as to bring them at a point for devising a ‘code of ethics’, the former secretary general of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Mazhar Abbas told the PEC. Mr. Abbas is also chairman of one of the subcommittees of the PCOMS.

Mr. Adnan Rehmat, director media development of Civic Action Resources (CAR), who is also member of the PCOMS, told PEC, PCOMS was mandated to work for reducing impunity while coordinating with the media groups and the government. It has so far held three meetings in this regards and has formed two sub-committees under which one is headed by Mr. Mazhar Abbas now working on gathering code of ethics regarding safety of journalists as to how the media houses themselves could work on this issue to reduce risks.

The other committee is working on the idea how the government could itself take steps to minimize the threats and reduce impunity. The PCOMS asked the government to appoint a ‘special prosecutor’ having the authority equaling to a High Court’s judge to take up and pursue cases of attacks on media and its workers. It has also been asked to the government and political parties to develop a ‘Journalists Safety Bill’ and to be tabled in parliament for enactment into a law, Mr Rehmat said.

The PCOMS’ Steering Committee that met on 8 October 2013 with the Pakistan’s federal information and broadcasting minister Perveez Rasheed endorsed the UN action plan and issued a comprehensive ‘Islamabad Declaration’ outlining a set of action items and recommendations for key stakeholders on combating impunity against journalists in the country. The declaration covers three main categories of stakeholders and their proposed action items which includes media sector actors; state institutions and political parties; and civil society.

The PCOMS is going to hold its meeting at end-January and will assess the progress and also may add more steps for the protection of media and impunity reduction in Pakistan.

The Government’s Response

This government of Mr. Nawaz Sharif came to power on the promise to provide security, justice and respect human rights, but on the ground the situation is different. Despite their claims of addressing the journalists’ killings, still the numbers of assassinations are higher than last years.

Nawaz government’s information and broadcasting minister assured during first meeting of the PCOMS steering committee in October 2013 that the government of Pakistan will extend support for the implementation of the UN Action Plan with the help of the PCOMS. The government will fully support the efforts of the UN and its partners in Pakistan for combating impunity against journalists for keeping them safe.

PEC Rep in IslamabadIsrar Khan

***10.01.2014.REGIONAL ANNUAL REPORT FOR CENTRAL AMERICA AND MEXICO, one of the most dangerous regions with 12 killed last year -REPORTE DE CERIGUA PARA PEC - Síntesis anual de las violaciones a la libertad de expresión en México y Centroamérica enero – diciembre 2013.

The journalists covering the Middle East were the hardest hit 44, followed by Asia 37, then Latin America 27, Africa follows with 18 ahead of Europe 3.

2013 another deadly year for journalists

Geneva, 30 December 2013 (PEC) – The year 2013 has been another deadly year for journalists because of the coverage of several armed conflicts. 129 journalists were killed in the line of duty in 28 countries, a decrease of 8 percent as compared to the figures of the PEC report 2012.

Last year 141 journalists were killed, a record figure due to the deadly Syrian conflict. The number of journalists killed in Syria this year has decreased however abductions of foreign journalists have increased: 15 so far are still in captivity in Syria or have disappeared.

Using the same yardstick, 107 journalists were killed in 2011, 110 in 2010 and 122 in 2009 - a total of 609 journalists during the past 5 years, on average 122 per year and 2.3 per week, one every three days.

Among the 129 journalists killed this year around 90 (70%) were killed in conflict zones or in violent unrest. Three quarter of them were intentionally targeted, others were killed mostly accidentally in bomb attacks.

Syria ranks first as the deadliest country for media work for the second year with 17 journalists killed. Iraq comes second with 16 killed, then Pakistan with 14 killed, the Philippines 11 killed and India with nine killed.

At least another 15 foreign journalists were freed or were successful in fleeing captivity, marking the total to a high of 30 kidnapped or disappeared this year.

PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen has commented by saying that those kidnappings in Syria by armed groups are unprecedented, even in Iraq between 2003 and 2006 this high figure was not common which renders the coverage of the ongoing war in this country extremely dangerous for journalists. Those armed groups only seek financing of their armed struggle which places them on the level of criminal groups.

PEC calls for the release of all journalists detained before the international conference Geneva 2 on Syria in Switzerland 22 January.

According to the PEC end of year report the situation has unfortunately deteriorated again in Iraq particularly in Mosul after an improvement last year. So far 16 journalists were killed this year against 3 in 2012.

Somalia comes in 6th place with 8 killed against 19 last year. Egypt follows with 7 killed, a marked deterioration following the 30 of June revolution that led to the ousting of former President Morsi.

Afghanistan, Columbia, Honduras, Libya and Russia witnessed the killing of 3 journalists in each country. Two journalists were killed in Haiti, Kenya, Mali, Paraguay. And one in each of the following countries: Cote d’Ivoire, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Nigeria, Peru, Uganda, Tanzania and Yemen.

The journalists covering the Middle East were the hardest hit 44 (34%), followed by Asia 37 (29%), then Latin America 27 (21%), Africa follows with 18 (14%) ahead of Europe 3 (2%).

Progress at the international level

Lempen noted that good progress has occurred while mobilizing the international community, the Security Council has convened two meetings on the protection of journalists, the UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution and the Human Rights Council decides to convene a debate on the same issue, while UNESCO continues the implementation of its plan of action.

He added that this awakening is a great success for organizations that defend journalists, when years ago governments ignored the problem or gave a blind eye. Now the question is not if we have to do something, but what we have to do to protect journalists in conflict zones.

For the PEC, he stressed, there is however a lot to be done for concrete changes in the field, especially in the struggle against impunity.

PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi said that the world is now moving in the right direction to bring justice to journalists who have lost their lives in defense of their profession and human rights.

***17.12.2013. PAKISTAN: interview with a senior journalist Mudassar Shah reporting from troubled Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA): "To be a journalist in this region is the most dangerous job"

by Israr Khan, PEC Representative in Islamabad

Pakistani Journalists who are doing journalism in the world’s most troubled Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) and Baluchistan on the sensitive international border with Afghanistan are in a great danger. They are at the mercy of Taliban and military forces, as it has become too much dangerous for them to report from these armed conflict areas and bring the truth to the world. In FATA, Pakistan, since 2004, about 150 thousand Pakistani military force is stationed fighting with Taliban militants to flush them out of the area. Since the US and NATO coalition forces poured in in Afghanistan to hunt down Al-Qaida and Taliban, domestic insurgency popped up on this side of the border, now reporting on these warring groups is grave risky for journalists. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) in its effort to mobilize the world community to stand by journalists in conflicts zones and dangerous situations has attempted to interview a senior Pakistani freelance journalist Mr. Mudassar Shah(photo) 38, who has been reporting regularly from FATA region, including Waziristan, the Swat Valley, Islamabad and Afghanistan since 1998. Mr. Shah files news stories regularly for the US Free Speech Radio News, Asia Calling, and various other radio including DW and print media organizations. His reporting focuses on militancy and other socioeconomic issues that affect Pakistanis and Afghans, such as music, the conditions in refugee camps, the effects of Sharia law on tribal communities, the collapse of Pakistani’s judicial system and health related issues including AIDS.

PEC: What is your experience of the conflict zone as a reporter?SHAH: Since the US and NATO forces entered into Afghanistan, it introduced a new dimension to reporting in the Pakistan, namely conflict reporting. It also put much responsibility on journalists and media covering stories in these troubled areas including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, tribal areas and in Baluchistan province where security and safety situation is worse.

PEC: What dangers and difficulties you face while covering this area? SHAH: To be a journalist in this region is the most dangerous job, as you can’t differentiate between enemy and friend. Intimidation to journalists by the unknown people is a common custom. In view of the increasingly complex nature of conflict situations, we are stuck between devil and deep sea while reporting on various sensitive issues. These militants are considering journalists the ‘enemy and western spies’. They think us as anti-Islamic if we report against them. Reporting on the military is also ‘to be careful’ topic.

"You cannot report on women rights"

PEC: Can you pinpoint those sensitive issues which need a great care for you to report on?SHAH: Well, for example you cannot report on female education and women rights, and if you do so, then unknown threatening calls will not only make your life miserable but they could also anytime hit you badly. In most cases reporters face with threats and harassments from the military, police and militants. Journalists reporting on the Taliban’s activities, military operations and other security-related issues often incur the wrath of the warring sides and sandwiched between them. Journalists from these areas increasingly report threats, coercion, kidnapping and targeted killings by both militants and the military, and many self-censor to avoid retribution.

PEC: Why they [militants] are against reporting on these issues?SHAH: Militants think that reporting on female education is an effort to encourage girls for becoming another Malal Yousafzai who was been targeted and injured in Swat valley by Taliban. There is a hill of issues in FATA education sector, but if you report on them, they will threat you for dire consequences. Females are still playing a proactive role in this region in education sector and without taking the danger in account, they are still ready to get education, but the facilities are meager.

PEC: Apart from these gender issues, what are topics that are almost untouchable for you? SHAH: Smuggling of goods and drugs on Pak-Afghan border is another topic which is much dangerous to be reported on, if you want to stay safe then keep quite. If you report on such issues, you will every time feel that you could be detained or targeted at any moment. As, there is no access of foreign journalists to this region and for local journalists even doing independent investigation and reporting on the US drone attacks is also not possible. However, still we take the risk and try to report on these issues.

"We are always a soft target"

PEC: What is the level of support of the government in protecting journalists in the conflict zone?SHAH: Unfortunately, there is no media law in Pakistan that provides for complete protection to the journalist community facing threats and violence. Several tribal Pakistani journalists had been killed, many other injured and harassed through the hands of unknown enemy while performing their duties. No culprit has been so far brought to justice. We are always a soft target, as no government is protecting us.

PEC: How does it feel to almost get you arrested or targeted? SHAH: As, I am reporting in conflict zone for the international print and electronic media, I have been receiving threats, sometimes life threats from both sides. It is painful when you feel that an unknown enemy is every time chasing you and you are helpless. Three week back, when I was working on the smuggling issue on Pak-Afghan border, I was detained for several hours my camera and voice recorder were been broken by levies [the force recruited indigenously on a tribal basis, fall under the federal government’s control, and are appointed by the political agent who is also their commanding officer]. Recalling another incident happened to me in December 2011, while I was going for interviewing somebody, on the way suddenly some unknown peoples attacked on me. There was intense firing, I escaped but my nephew got injured and was put in custody. The next day, I went to Assistant Political Agent [APA] Jamrud, khyber agency but he was reluctant to listen to me. During that meeting, a phone call came to APA and I was harshly beaten and put behind bars. Latter, I developed abdominal pain and infection. I was put in cell with known Taliban militants among whom most were involved in NATO containers cases. Mentally and physically, I was in extremely bad condition for nothing. Later, I was released, but when I started work on another story “NATO OIL TANKER JOCKEYS”, life threatening phone calls started coming to me. The story was on tribal children of under 18 who were supposed to sit at the back of the oil tanker when they reach the difficult areas of Khyber Agency. It seemed like camel jockeys while those helper got very less amount for all this and most of them did not know of human rights and its violation. After threats, I left this area for some weeks and went to other cities, but was spotted. At last, again came to this area where I had family and home.

PEC: How do you manage your relationship with your family? (I mean how you deal with it when every time you work in danger zone and sometime get life threats. How you convince it.) SHAH: Yes, my family is always worried about my safety. Since my family is residing in tribal area, so when I am under threats, my family also gets the threatening calls which are always much hurting. However, I try to convince my family that if journalists are not telling the true picture to the world, then who will come to help us. In such areas when situation becomes intense, even the volunteer organizations leave, still journalists will be there on the scene covering news for readers. PEC: What are your suggestions to improve the access to the conflict zones?SHAH: Direct access of foreign media and journalists is almost impossible to these areas, however by well equipping and well training the local journalists, they can access to the area. Even some time, we local journalists are presumed as agents of any foreign country by the local people. Safety trainings are required there and the journalists’ defense groups and organization should play their proactive role in this regards. No government or media organization for which the reporter is working are not ready to well equip them or train them to cope and face with such difficult situation in conflict zones. END

***27.11.2013. PEC welcomes heartily the creation of an International Day to End Impunity for crimes against journalists on November 2(read the text of the UN resolution on safety of journalists and impunity below)

Geneva, November 27 (PEC) – The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) welcomes heartily the decision of the UN Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly in a consensus resolution creating an international Day to End Impunity for crimes against journalists, the day will be celebrated each year on November 2.

PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi noted that this resolution is a great step forward for all media workers who are living the trauma of acute danger in the field, a danger that is growing daily and changing in character.

PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen said that the overwhelming majority of crimes against journalists are committed with impunity.

Lempen added that so far this year 108 journalists were killed, and noted that the PEC is also very concerned by the fate of a dozen foreign journalists kidnapped in Syria, among them 2 Swedish journalists, abducted last week-end.

He thanked France for this important initiative co-sponsored by more than 70 countries and expressed hope that other initiatives to protect journalists will follow in the right direction which the PEC adheres to since 2006.

The resolution unequivocally condemns all attacks, intimidation and violence against journalists and media workers, and calls on all Member States to protect them, to ensure that all crimes against them are investigated and brought to justice, and to promote an environment in which journalists and media workers can work independently and without interference.

It also expresses support for the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, an unprecedented step in the promotion of freedom of expression.

The PEC, since launching its campaign ten years ago further developed it in December 2007 to include draft convention to protect journalists in conflict zones and dangerous situations, among the many provisions of the draft is to hold the perpetrators of crimes against journalists accountable.

The Geneva based NGO initiated this year interviews with journalists who were abducted such as Francois Aubenas of France and Giuliana Sgrena of Italy in order to mobilize the world community to stand by journalists in conflicts zones and dangerous situations.

The resolution which passed 26 November pays homage to French journalists of Radio France Internationale, Ghislaine Dupont et Claude Verlon, killed in Mali on 2 November this year.

Abdel Nabi and Lempen expressed hope that more steps will be taken in 2014 to strengthen the legal aspects of protection for journalists.

TEXT OF THE RESOLUTION: United Nations - General Assembly - A/C.3/68/L.40/Rev.1

***03.11.2013. MALI. La Presse Emblème Campagne (PEC) est consternée par l'enlèvement et l'assassinat de deux journalistes français de Radio France Internationale Ghislaine Dupont et Claude Verlon près de Kidal / The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) is appalled by the abduction and murder of two French journalists, Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon, near the northern city of Kidal. They worked for Radio France Internationale

PEC press release (French below)

The PEC condemns in the strongest possible manner the summary executions of Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon in the north of Mali Geneva, November 3 (PEC) -- The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns in the strongest possible manner the summary executions of French journalists working for Radio France Internationale Ghislaine Dupont (57) and Claude Verlon (55).

PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen described the horrendous crime as unprecedented. The journalists were kidnapped and shot after conducting an interview in Kidal, Mali. Their bodies were found about 10 km from the town centre.

“The profession of journalism has become more and more dangerous. Some armed groups do not respect any more the independence of media, as we can see recently in countries like Syria, Iraq, Pakistan and now Mali”, said Lempen.

Other dramatic incidents but not in the same circumstances led to decapitation of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, by his abductors in Pakistan in 2002, and Italian journalist Enzo Baldoni, kidnapped and executed in Iraq in 2004.

More than 100 journalists were killed during their media assignments from the beginning of this year, according to the PEC. And the toll is growing every week.

The PEC calls upon the media community to revolt against this heinous act and cowardly conduct, they must rise worldwide to defend their fallen courageous colleagues by calling for an urgent investigation and bringing the perpetrators of this horrible crime to justice.

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) welcomes and supports the UN SECURITY COUNCIL statement: SECURITY COUNCIL STRONGLY CONDEMNS KILLING OF FRENCH JOURNALISTS IN MALI

New York, Nov 3 2013 The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned the kidnapping and assassinations of two French journalists in northern Mali, and called on the Government to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Armed gunmen reportedly abducted the two journalists, working for Radio France Internationale (RFI), on Saturday in Kidal.

In a <"http://www.un.org/en/sc/documents/press/2013.shtml">statement to the media late last night, the 15-member Council expressed its condolences to the family of the victims, as well as to the French Government.

"In accordance with international humanitarian law, journalists, media professionals and associated personnel engaged in dangerous professional missions in areas of armed conflict are generally considered as civilians and shall be respected and protected as such," the statement reiterated.

The Council members demanded that "all parties to an armed conflict comply fully with the obligations applicable to them under international humanitarian law, including as related to the protection of civilians in armed conflict."

They called on the Government of Mali to "swiftly investigate the case" and to hold those responsible to account.

In its statement, the Council also reaffirmed that any acts of terrorism are "criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed".

The Members also reiterated their full support to the UN Mission in Mali and the French forces, and called on all parties to cooperate fully with the Mission.

The Security Council set up the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in April to support the West African country's recovery from a coup and the occupation of its north by Islamist fundamentalists, its transition back to stability and democratic governance, and the promotion of human rights and provision of humanitarian aid.

***01.11.2013. PAKISTAN. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) while expressing serious concern on the increased violence against media in Pakistan said that the killing of journalists has continued unabated in the country and impunity is completely enjoyed by the predators of press freedom

ISLAMABAD: The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) while expressing serious concern on the increased violence against media in Pakistan said that the killing of journalists has continued unabated in the country and impunity is completely enjoyed by the predators of press freedom. Condemning the killing of another journalist on October 11 in northern Pakistan, the watchdog noted that Pakistani journalists’ death toll has reached ‘global high’ and feared that the trend is much dangerous than previous year.

The campaign has also pointed finger towards rising ‘ethnic polarization’ in Pakistan that is putting media in a danger zone. Journalists who cover sensitive issues are feeling insecure and fear that these ethnic groups can give a negative connotation to their single spoken or written word. In Pakistan, violence against journalists has become a cheapest and effective way of silencing the media while reaction from the government has been a few words of condemnation and superficial inquiry.

During October this year, a journalist has been killed, another was brutally attacked and one was kidnapped.

A senior journalist Ayub Khan Khattak was shot dead on 11 October by unidentified gunmen in district Karak of Khyber Pakhtunkwa. He had been associated with GEO television network covering the tribal areas, where the unrest is on the rise due to Taliban and Pakistan’s military operation against them. Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) and Baluchistan bordering Afghanistan are among the most dangerous for journalists and dozen of them had been killed in the last few years.

His murder was linked to his professional work, as he has filed a story on drug mafia operating in the region, local journalists told PEC. He was covering crimes and after exposing criminal elements, he used to receive threats. Later, he was killed by two gunmen riding on motorbikes waiting outside his resident.

In another case that happened on October 12, a senior journalist Sardar Shafiq and former secretary general of the Abbottabad Union of Journalist (AUJ) was been seriously injured when unknown people attacked on him late night in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. He worked for a local Urdu language daily. As he left his office late in the night, three men intercepted him and thrashed with iron rods. He was then taken to the hospital in serious condition and remained there under treatment for more than a week.

Niaz Chandio, a local Sindhi television journalist was kidnapped on 15 October 2013, in Jacobabad district of Sindh province, Pakistan. Police have not yet found any trace of the whereabouts of him.

According to the PEC’s media ticking clock, Pakistani journalists’ death toll has reached 13 and also the same number of journalists killed in Syria since January 2013. Somalia and India was also at the second place with eight journalists dead each. Globally, 101 journalists and media staff lost their lives in targeted attacks, bomb blasts or cross-fire incidents since January 2013 to date. In 2012, the number was 141 with Syria at the top with 37, Somalia 19 and Pakistan with 12 journalists killed.

Current trend of Journalists’ killing is far high than last several year. This is a serious matter of concern for Pakistan and its democratic government. It should take serious measures for the protection of journalists, take serious steps against the killers of journalists and bring the culprits to justice as to fizzle out the high environment of impunity in the country, the PEC asked the government.

Former Secretary General of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Mr. Mazhar Abbas said that Pakistan has been ranked among the three most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. Despite repeated demands and appeal the government failed in protecting the life of journalist while media houses are not ready to adopt any policy for training and safety of journalist. Concrete measures are needed both for safety and ethical journalism in Pakistan.

ISRAR KHAN, PEC Rep in Pakistan

***01.11.2013. EGYPT. Freedoms and the new constitution. Egypt’s draft constitution is worryingly ambiguous on freedoms of expression and information, the time being now to reach clarity in the guarantee of fundamental rights, writes PEC President Hedayat Abdel-Nabi - published by Al-Ahram Weekly on Friday 01 November 2013

As a human rights activist since 2004, when a group of journalists and myself launched a non-governmental organisation from Geneva — the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) — geared to defend journalists in conflicts zones, my eyes followed other rights organisations in the field, among them Article 19 based in London, for whom I hold a great deal of respect for its work and contribution in the field of freedom of opinion and expression. A few days ago a new report issued by Article 19 came to my attention, concerning the new Egyptian constitution.

If you may allow me, I will share parts of the analysis with the readership of Al-Ahram Weekly without interfering in its flow.

Article 19 noted that in October 2013 it analysed the Draft Proposed Amendments to the 2012 constitution, dated 20 August 2013 (Draft Constitution), in light of international standards on the right to freedom of expression and information.

An expert committee prepared the draft constitution pursuant to Article 28 of the Constitutional Declaration dated 8 July 2013. It is now under consideration by the 50-Member Committee, which will present its own amendments in November 2013.

Article 19 welcomes that the Draft Constitution includes positive references to a rights-based language throughout, including a dedicated Bill of Rights that sets out the right to freedom of expression and many important related rights.

However, in almost every case, the scope afforded to each fundamental right, including the right to freedom of expression and information is too narrow. At the same time, there is a lack of guidance on how rights may be legitimately restricted to protect other rights, or collective interests, in compliance with international law. In several instances, fundamental rights are qualified in ambiguous terms that give the authorities substantial discretion and that may lead to abuse.

Article 19 calls upon the 50-member committee to ensure that the constitution fully protects the right to freedom of expression and information and related rights. The recommendations that should be considered by the assembly are summarised below.

PREAMBLE: The preamble should stress as a priority the universality of human rights for all people, without limiting this on the basis of citizenship. This could include reference to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other instruments, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Principle 7 of the preamble should be revised to reflect that while the right to express oneself freely in public is important, private expression is also protected.

Principles 4-6 should be revised to make clear that national unity and security are not a condition for the enjoyment of human rights, but that these ends can only be achieved through respect for universal human rights.

The preamble should not make the acceptance of the constitution, or a person’s willingness to uphold it, conditional on religious faith or any other belief system.

STATUS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW: The constitution should include a dedicated provision on the status of international law.

International law should have primacy over domestic law, with the exception of the constitution. Domestic law may not be invoked to justify violations of international law.

The requirement that treaties infringing on “sovereignty” should be subject to referenda should be clarified, and this should not be an obstacle to the ratification of human rights instruments.

Treaties should only be repealed, modified or suspended in the manner provided for in the treaties themselves.

RIGHT TO EQUALITY: The right to equality should be guaranteed to all people, regardless of citizenship status.

All of the rights in the constitution should be guaranteed without distinction of any kind.

The protected characteristics in Article 38 should be extended to include: national origin, race and colour, property, birth, political or other opinion, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Articles 10 and 11 should be removed from the constitution because they promote harmful gender-based stereotypes. They should be replaced by a provision explicitly stating the obligation on the state to achieve the elimination of prejudices and customary and all other practices that are based on the idea of the inferiority or the superiority of either of the sexes, or on stereotyped roles for men and women, as per Article 5 of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND OPINION: The title to Article 48 should reference both the right to freedom of opinion and the right to freedom of expression.

The right to freedom of expression should encompass the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers.

Consideration should be given to specifying the right to freedom of expression through electronic and Internet-based modes of communication.

ACCESS TO INFORMATION: The right of access to information should be guaranteed to all people, regardless of citizenship status.

The constitution should provide the positive obligation on public bodies to proactively disclose information and recognise the principle of maximum disclosure.

The right of access to information should apply to all information held by public bodies, and also to private bodies where that information is required for the exercise or protection of any rights.

Limitations on the right of access to information must comply with Article 19 (3) of the ICCPR, and limitations must be justified on the basis of “harm” and “public interest” tests.

PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY: Article 53 should protect the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, and references to “quiet” assemblies should be removed.

The right to organise and participate in peaceful assemblies should be guaranteed.

Article 53 should place a positive obligation on the state to facilitate the exercise of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly.

The right to freedom of peaceful assembly should not be restricted on the basis of citizenship status.

Restrictions on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, including notification requirements, must comply with the three-part test under Article 22 of the ICCPR.

The right to freedom of peaceful assembly in private does not require separate protection. The right to privacy should be protected comprehensively in a separate provision.

LIMITATIONS ON RIGHTS: The constitution should specify which rights cannot be qualified or limited, including the right to freedom of opinion, as protected by Article 19 (1) of the ICCPR.

The constitution should provide guidance on the limitation of rights that are not absolute, and in relation to the right to freedom of expression and information, and the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, these should comply with Article 19 (3) of the ICCPR and Article 22 respectively.

MEDIA FREEDOM: The new constitution should provide explicit protection for freedom of the media and specifically protect the following elements of media freedom:

There should be no prior censorship.

There should be no licensing or registration system for print media.

There should be no licensing of individual journalists or entry requirements for practising the profession.

The independence of all bodies with regulatory powers over the media, including governing bodies of public media, should be guaranteed.

The right of journalists to protect their confidential sources of information should be guaranteed.

Journalists should be free to associate in professional bodies of their choice.

In a nutshell (and now I go back to my own words), this is how others who have a long-standing record of contributing to the positive protection of human rights view with hope the upcoming Egyptian constitution. I join the prestigious NGO Article 19 in hoping that the 50-member committee will take these recommendations seriously.

Hedayat Abdel Nabi

Furthermore, the PEC calls for the immediate release of 24 media workers arrested and detained in Egypt:

***31.10.2013. RUSSIA. International petition for the boycott of the Winter Olympic Games to free the 30 Greenpeace activists imprisoned in Russia

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) decided to sign and support the petition for the boycott of the winter Olympic Games to free the 30 Greenpeace activists imprisoned in Russia for two reasons: 1) among them are one journalist and one photographer - the PEC calls for their immediate release 2) Russia is the main support of the Assad regime in Syria which has killed, detained, tortured many journalists. Here is the link to the petition:

Suder, a 34-year-old freelancer who worked for the Corbis agency and other outlets, was abducted by masked gunmen on July 24 during a raid on a media center in Saraqeb, in the northwestern province of Idlib.

No reason was given for his kidnapping and no one had publicly claimed responsibility for the abduction.

Suder's mother, Krystyna Jarosz, told radio RMF FM that he felt well, though he was thin and had some marks on his body which she did not explain. She said Suder had been held in a dark basement, initially without food.

The PEC is relieved by this good news. The NGO based in Geneva calls for the immediate release of all other journalists detained in Syria, at least 11 (see below).

***16.10.2013. SYRIA. Two more journalists missing in Syria: Abu Dhabi-based Sky News Arabia said it lost contact on Tuesday Oct 15 with reporter Ishak Moctar, a Mauritanian national, cameraman Samir Kassab, a Lebanese national, and their Syrian driver.

Sky News Arabia chief Nart Bouran said the crew was on assignment primarily to focus on the humanitarian aspects of the conflict in Aleppo. The PEC joins the channel's appeal for any information on the team's whereabouts and for help to ensure the journalists' safe return.

Since August 2012, at least 25 foreign journalists have been kidnapped or are missing in Syria (see the list below). Today, at least 12 journalists are still detained or are missing.

PEC renews ist call to all sides involved in the war in Syria to cease the targeting of journalists, to respect media freedom and to immediately release all journalists currently under detention.

Provisional list of foreign journalists held in Syria (freed and still in detention since August 2012) (by country) (Oct 16):

***07.10.2013. PAKISTAN. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) strongly condemned the killing of a Journalist in yet another act of violence against media in Pakistan and asked the authorities to thoroughly investigate the murder case and bring the culprits to justice

ISLAMABAD: The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) has strongly condemned the killing of a Journalist with impunity in yet another act of violence against media in Pakistan and asked the authorities to thoroughly investigate the murder case and bring the culprits to justice.

Mr. Zaheerullah Mujahid 35, who was working as a reporter with a local Urdu language newspaper daily Subah, On September 29, his bullet ridden dead body was found in fields in Oghi subdivision of Mansehra of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. No clear motive has yet been established behind this murder.

This journalists’ protection watchdog has asked the Nawaz Sharif’s government to step up efforts for reversing the terrible high environment of impunity, as the country’s track record is not good in protecting journalists from abducting, killing and harassment.

Since January 2013, a dozen of journalists (including Mujahid) have been killed in Pakistan.

Environment of impunity

But, probably worse than these deaths, killings and murders of journalists is the much higher environment of impunity in Pakistan. Scores of journalists have been killed in Pakistan during last two decades, but the killer of no one of these journalists has been indicted, prosecuted and convicted except one and that was of Wall Street Journal’s reporter Daniel Pearl.

The PEC has waged a global campaign against impunity. It is focusing on of the very important countries, Pakistan where violence against media and environment of impunity is also much high than others. The campaign has also pinpointed the government’s unserious attitude to properly investigate the extrajudicial killings of journalists taken place with impunity over the years. Besides, journalists are intimidated, abducted and tortured in the tribal areas.

Under Taliban threat

In another case, a senior journalist Mr. Sami Paracha of daily Dawn is under Taliban threat in Kohat district of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He got life threatening calls from Taliban militants after he publish a report on September 7 in which he unearthed the news that the banned militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had set up ‘Shariah courts’ in Darra Adamkhel tribal region about 14 miles north of Kohat to dispense “speedy justice” to the people of the area. This region was stronghold of the TTP-linked militants until 2009 before the military moved to take back the area establishing the writ of the federal government.

Paracha has been asked by the TTP to be ready for dire consequences or disclose the source of the news item to it, while the reporter is not ready to do so. The PEC asked the authorities to protect the reporter against any harm from the TTP.

Pakistan’s already tattered reputation for journalists’ safety has been further damaged after journalists were abducted and beaten and their cases have not so far been thoroughly investigated.

Ali Chishti who works for The Friday Times and writes on national security and counter terrorism was abducted in port city of Karachi by armed men in police uniform on August 30. He was tortured and beaten by the captors and was then released the next day, but the authorities did not investigate it to identify the abductors and their motive behind this act of violence.

Another tribal journalist Mr. Lal Wazir who works for a local newspaper in the South Waziristan town of Azam Warsak, bordering Afghanistan was taken from a shop by six masked gunmen on September 4. The next day, Wazir was released by dropping him near Azam Warsak bazaar.

Though nobody claimed the responsibility, yet the family sources of the Wazir said that he has just returned from Islamabad, as he also works for an Islamabad-based think tank specializing in tribal affairs, the FATA Research Center. Though, he was not harmed, yet these kind of incidents signals towards insecurity of journalists in the country, especially in tribal areas.

Geneva, October 5 (PEC) -- The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns the heinous attack that took place Friday against Egyptian journalist Khaled Daoud (photo), a member of the Dostour party (Constitution) and a loyal defender of former Egyptian Vice-President Dr. Mohammed El Baradei.

Khaled Daoud said Saturday that he was passing with his car amidst a pro-Muslim Brotherhood demonstration Friday when he was attacked, that he was on his way to visit his uncle in the district of Maadi and that he was not on assignment.

He suffered several stabs on his left arm and left side, his face suffers bruises everywhere.So far the perpetrators of this heinous crime have not been yet identified.Daoud escaped death as the stabs missed essential organs of his body.The well-known Egyptian journalist was vocal in his statements against the Muslim brotherhood during their one-year rule and following their demise. Khaled was also against the Coup in Egypt after the massacres of Radia and Nahda on 14th and 15th of AugustFurthermore there are in Egypt about 13 journalists arrested - all of them are extrajudicial arrests.

Geneva, October 2 (PEC) -- The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) is extremely concerned by the growing number of journalists kidnapped in the ongoing Syrian conflict the majority of which by armed groups.

The PEC condemns in the strongest possible manner the unacceptable practice of hostage taking of journalists and demands the immediate release without conditions of people arbitrarily detained.

The list of foreign journalists kidnapped in Syria has increased during the past year to reach a total of 22 media workers of some eleven nationalities: France 3, Germany 2, Hungary 1, Italy 5, Mexico 1, Palestine 1, Poland 1, Spain 2, Turkey 1, Ukraine 1, the United States 4.

Some have been liberated: Italian journalist Domenico Quirico was liberated on 8 September after spending 5 months in captivity, Ukranian journalist Ankhar Kochneva on 12 March after spending 150 days in captivity, Italian journalist Amedeo Ricucci and his three colleagues, French-American Jonathan Alpeyrie, American Matthew Schreier.

However, the PEC is extremely worried at the fate of American journalist Austin Tice, Jordanian-Palestinian journalist Bashar Fahmi, kidnapped since a year ago, American journalist James Foley, who disappeared since 22 November, German journalist Armin Wertz kidnapped on 13 May, French journalists Francois Didier Francois and Edward Elias kidnapped on 7 June, Polish journalist Marcin Suder, kidnapped on the 24 of July and Spanish journalist Marc Marginedas kidnapped on 4 September 2013.*

PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen stressed that the majority of kidnappings of journalists is done by armed rebels in exchange for a ransom.

Lempen noted that those practices cannot be tolerated, calling upon the Syrian opposition as well as commanders on the ground to take action against the perpetrators of such crimes, which tarnish in a dramatic way the image of the Syrian opposition.

Up to date 90 journalists killed in 9 months

According to the PEC, in 9 months from January to September 2013, the number of journalists killed reached a figure of 90 in 26 countries across the globe. During the third quarter of 2013 the situation has particularly deteriorated in Egypt, the Philippines and Guatemala.

Syria remains the most dangerous countries for media work in 2013 with 13 journalists killed, before Pakistan (11 killed). India and the Philippines follow with 8 journalists killed in each country. Egypt and Somalia rank consecutively 5th in line with 7 journalists killed in each country.

In Brazil 5 journalists were killed in the reporting period, followed by Guatemala and Mexico with 4 journalists killed in each. Two journalists were killed in the following countries: Colombia, Haiti, Iraq, Kenya, Paraguay and Russia. One journalist was killed in Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Ecuador, Honduras, Libya, Nigeria, Uganda, Peru, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Tanzania and Yemen.

Good news Lempen welcomed the growing support from the international community to the global issue of the protection of journalists. The good news is that the global community is more aware of the problem of the security of journalists in dangerous situations, he said.

"The PEC applauds the strong support rendered to the Austrian initiative expressed in the Human Rights Council when more then 100 nations endorsed on 26 September a decision to convene a special event in June next year on the issue", said Lempen.

Lempen added that this effort is a welcomed follow-up to the adoption by consensus of a resolution last year on the safety of journalists. "This mobilization and this growing awareness is a success. This consensus must be translated into better conditions for journalists in the field," added Lempen.

PEC President Hedayat Abdel Nabi hailed the movement by UN Member States which shows without doubt that the killing of one journalist is no longer an issue of a body count, it is an issue of the respect of everybody's basic rights.

Abdel Nabi noted with a lot of hope that the international community is coming closer towards achieving the PEC initiative to reach new legal binding international laws that would add further protection to the journalists facing the most difficult circumstances in conflict situations and civil unrest.

***24.09.2013. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) expresses its deepest appreciation for the initiatives taken in the last two years by the Austrian Government - statement delivered by Gianfranco Fattorini - read below the decision of the HRC on the safety of journalists, adopted by consensus with the support of more than 100 countries

General AssemblyHuman Rights Council24th session

Item 8 - Follow-up and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action

General debate

Mr. President,

In celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action[1], the Press Emblem Campaign expresses its deepest appreciation for the initiatives taken in the last two years by the Austrian Government in order to fulfil the commitment to guarantee freedom and protection for the media.

It is worthy to remember that, in the last 20 years, more than a thousand journalists have been killed around the world. The great majority of them in the context of war, civil unrest, war against organized crime, war against terrorism or land disputes; in less than 5% of the cases thoseresponsible have been brought to justice and convicted.

The PEC extends its appreciation to the members of the “core group” that support Austrian efforts and invites them to do everything possible to guarantee freedom and protection for the media in their own country. The PEC expresses its concern about the penal and administrative measures taken against journalists and media outlet criticizing the King of Morocco policy in general or, in particular, in relation to the Western Sahara issue. The PEC expresses its concern about the increasing number of journalists arrested in the last weeks in Tunisia and calls on the Government to listen sympathetically the legitimate claims of the media workers, expressed through a general strike last week, for freedom of expression.

Journalists and media workers are too often targeted by the security forces when accomplishing their duty in reporting peaceful assembly and public manifestation. The PEC is particularly concerned about the dozens of journalists jailed in Turkey for many months and those who were sacked or forced to resign since last summer manifestations and calls on the Turkish government, member of the core group of resolution A/HRC/RES/21/16 on «The rights to freedom of peaceful assembly» to respect freedom of assembly and freedom of expression.

The PEC calls equally, on the Israeli authorities and those of the State of Palestine, to guarantee the freedom of movement and of expression to local and international journalists and media workers covering the longest conflict in the world.

The PEC is looking forward to actively participate at the Panel that will take place in The Council next June, hoping that it will be an important step forward for the realization of the pledge made in 1993 regarding the media, as well as for the fight against the impunity linked to the killings of journalists.

Guided by the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and other relevant international human rights instruments,

Recalling Human Rights Council resolution 21/12 of 27 September 2012 on the safety of journalists,

Recalling also all relevant resolutions of the Commission on Human Rights and the Human Rights Council, in particular Council resolution 12/16 of 2 October 2009 and all other resolutions on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Council resolution 13/24 of 26 March 2010 on the protection of journalists in situations of armed conflict, and Council resolution 20/8 of 5 July 2012, on the promotion, protection and enjoyment of human rights on the Internet,

Recalling further all relevant reports by the special procedures of the Human Rights Council with regard to the safety of journalists, in particular the reports of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression[1] and the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions,[2] presented to the Human Rights Council at its twentieth session, and the interactive dialogue thereon,

Deeply concerned at the frequent violations and abuses of the human rights of journalists, including through killing, torture, enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention, expulsion, intimidation, harassment, threats and acts of other forms of violence, as well as through measures, such as surveillance, search and seizure, when aimed at hampering the work of journalists,

Taking notewith appreciation of the report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the safety of journalists[3] presented to the Human Rights Council at its twenty-fourth session,

Acknowledging in particular the recommendation made in the report to continue to promote the issue of safety of journalists through the Human Rights Council and related panel discussions,

1. Decides to convene, at its twenty-sixth session, a panel discussion on the issue of the safety of journalists, with a particular focus on discussing the findings made in the report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights,3 identifying challenges and further developing good practices for ensuring the safety of journalist by sharing information on initiatives undertaken to protect them;

2. Requests the Office of the High Commissioner to organize the panel discussion from within existing resources, in consultation with States, relevant United Nations bodies, funds and programmes, in particular the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, treaty bodies, special procedures and regional human rights mechanisms, as well as with civil society, non-governmental organizations and national human rights institutions, with a view to ensuring their participation in the panel discussion;

3. Also requests the Office of the High Commissioner to prepare and submit a summary report on the panel discussion to the Human Rights Council at its twenty-seventh session.

***17.09.2013. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL. EGYPT. The Press Emblem Campaign expresses its concern about the crackdown by the Egyptian authorities on media outlets and the arrest of staff members, which violate international obligations - PEC statement delivered by Gianfranco Fattorini.

General AssemblyHuman Rights Council24th session

Item 4 - Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention

General debate

Mr. President,

The Press Emblem Campaign is particularly concerned about the situation of the journalists and media workers in Egypt where 5 journalists were killed last August, while many others were attacked, beaten or detained, being targeted by pro and anti-government supporters.

During Mubarak’s presidency, the media faced substantial legal and regulatory challenges that limited their independence and ability to criticize and hold the government to account. These controls remained largely in place under the Morsi presidency.

Today, the Press Emblem Campaign expresses its concern about the crackdown by the Egyptian authorities on media outlets and the arrest of staff members, which violate international obligations. Egyptian security forces are continuing to detain and harass journalists working for news outlets critical of Egypt's interim government and in support of the protests organized by the Muslim Brothers, particularly Al Jazeera and its affiliates, while there have been raids on media offices and TV channels have been forced to close.

On August 14, while covering the clearance of pro-Morsi sit-ins and the clashes which erupted nationwide afterwards, the journalists had to face the precarious and dangerous environment where they were under fire from both sides, the ordinary protesters and the security forces. Since then, several testimonies denounce the abuses suffered by journalists, including by Moslem Brotherhood supporters.

While Egypt's Prosecutor-General Hisham Barakat has reportedly opened an investigation into the killing of journalists, the trend of attacking, shooting and/or confiscating journalists' equipment carrying out their work will likely to be continued in the future.

Journalists in Egypt believe that there is no official body in the country to protect them from being intimidated or harassed by security forces or even angry protesters while trying to carry out their work. The PEC calls on the Egyptian authorities to change the present laws on the media and to adopt a clear policy within the security forces in order to respect journalists and provide them protection.

Speech delivered by Gianfranco Fattorini PECPermanent Representative at the UN

Like in any country experiencing unrest, political instability or civil war, media workers in today Egypt are confronted to different challenges due to the mistrust and even hostility of the authorities in power. Depending on whether media workers are more favorable, or are considered more favorable, to one side or the other, or according to their origin, they could be targeted by the ruling power or the opposition.

In fact, throughout the “revolutionary period” which started in late January 2011 and led to the dismissal of Hosni Moubarak, the election of Mohamed Morsi and his destitution, a great number of journalists and media workers had to face seizure of their material, harassment, assault, rape, degrading treatment, arbitrary arrest; several were shot at firearms and 11 of them have lost their lives.

Even if one can assume that critical observation and analysis of current events are never appreciated by the actors of a violent confrontation, we cannot forget that for decades the independence of the media and their ability to criticize and hold the government to account were limited in Egypt. Media were subject to criminal sanctions under the Penal Code, onerous licensing requirements and significant government control over state-owned media outlets. It has to be clarified here that if the actors’ discontent is understandable, it cannot justify violence against media workers.

During the short period of Morsi presidency some expectations were raised when some key individuals associated with the repressive functions of the Mubarak regime have been forced to leave their positions, including the Minister of Information. But substantially the legal framework has not changed and probably this question was not at the top of the priorities for the Morsi’s government.

Here is the first role of International Human Rights Organizations in the field of media: the advocacy for a legal framework conducive to a culture of acceptance of freedom of expression and freedom of the media. The establishment of a democratic society requires, inter alia, the acceptance of the confrontation of different ideas and analyzes and a legal framework which complies with international standards and obligations in this regard.

Obviously, even in the well established and recognized democracies, where the legal framework ensure freedom of expression, it happens that State agents violate the law and some very fundamental human rights, as we are witnessing in present days. This, of course, is even more the case when the legal framework does not comply with the international standards and obligations.

Here is the second role of International Human Rights Organizations in the field of media: collect reliable information and activate the relevant mechanisms at the national, regional and international level.

In the context of the UN Human Rights system, according to the nature and the severity of the violations of the fundamental rights different mechanisms and procedures of the Human Rights Council can be alerted and activated. The most relevant, with respect to the violations suffered by media workers in conflict zones, are the Working Group on Arbitrary detention, the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism, the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and the Special Rapporteur on violence against women.

We wish to stress here that the greatest challenge media workers have to face in conflict zones is impunity that protects the violators of the human rights and, of course, impunity protecting the responsible of the killing of media workers. According to the widely accepted figures, in less than 10% of the more than a thousand cases of killing of media workers around the world in the last 20 years the responsible have been brought to justice and convicted. Those suggesting that the mechanisms currently in place are ineffective in combating impunity.

Here is the third role of International Human Rights Organizations: the reflection on how to improve the protection of media workers’ rights and lives and eventually how to better combat impunity.

The Press Emblem Campaign is convinced that in third millennium, called the Information Millennium, it is not only the rights in general or those specific of the media workers that need to be protected, but also the physical integrity of the media workers. In order to effectively promote a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work independently and without undue interference, as desired by the UN Human Rights Council[1], the PEC has launched the reflection on the adoption of a set of international binding rules, whose application would be ensured by an independent mechanism endowed with investigatory powers.

The PEC welcomes the opening of an investigation into the killing of journalists by the Egyptian Prosecutor-General Hisham Barakat and hopes that the responsible will be identified, judged and duly sentenced but this will not be sufficient to create a safe and enabling environment for journalists and media workers.

***16.09.2013. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL. COMMISSION OF INQUIRY ON SYRIA. PEC statement delivered by Gianfranco Fattorini - The PEC is particularly concerned about the growing phenomenon of abduction and vigorously denounces the inhuman or degrading treatment imposed on journalists, including fake executions. The PEC calls on all factions involved in the Syrian conflict to release all the journalists and media workers

General AssemblyHuman Rights Council24th session

Item 4 - Human rights situations that require the Council’s attentionReport of the Independent international commission of inquiry on the situationin the Syrian Arab Republic (A/HRC/24/46)

Mr. President,

The Press Emblem Campaign thanks the members of the Independent international commission of inquiry for having integrated in the report a specific section on the particular situation journalists have to face in the Syrian Arab Republic. We hope that this section will be flagged in the future report of the Commission.

Indeed, Syria was the deadliest country in the world for media workers in 2012 with 37 media workers killed in the country, 13 of them working for foreign media. This year, so far, Syria is again the deadliest country in the world with 11 media workers killed.

We wish to point out here that PEC statistics counts only journalists and media workers. In light of the reflection going on in the Human Rights Council, as well as in the Security Council and UNESCO about the security and protection of journalists we wish to suggest the Independent international commission of inquiry to split the statistics between journalists and media workers on one side and others actors on the other side so as to eventually not mix the human rights violations suffered by the Syrian population and human rights defenders with the crimes committed against journalists and media workers exercising their profession.

The PEC is particularly concerned about the growing phenomenon of abduction and vigorously denounces the inhuman or degrading treatment imposed on journalists, including fake executions. The PEC calls on all factions involved in the Syrian conflict to release all the journalists and media workers.

Finally the PEC is still very concerned about the fate of Mazen Darwish, Director of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression, who was arrested in February 2012. Darwish and his two colleagues Hani Zitani and Hussein Al Ghurair are still held in arbitrary detention. The PEC calls on the Commission of Inquiry to investigate and to report to the Council on this particular case.

The PEC wishes to ask the members of the Commission what would be, in their view, the best way to combat impunity for the killing of 49 journalists in the Syrian Arab Republic?

I thank you for your attention.

16 September 2013

***13.09.2013. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL. PRESENTATION OF THE REPORT OF THE OHCHR ON THE SAFETY OF JOURNALISTS. Read below the PEC oral statement, the Joint statement by Austria supported by 70 countries, the IFJ statement on the OHCHR report

General AssemblyHuman Rights Council24th session

Item 3 - Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development

General debate

Mr. President,

The adoption of the resolution on “Safety of journalists” in September last year was an important step forward for the protection of journalists. The study presented at this session by the Office of the High Commissioner, as requested by the Council in resolution 21/12, clearly shows that the protection of journalists and media workers is closely related to the political will.

As we illustrate in the written contribution submitted to the attention of the Council, published under symbol A/HRC/24/NGO/47, the majority of the killing of journalists occurs in situation of wars, whether across the borders or within the borders, civil unrest or economic wars. In this context, the PEC believes that this process should remain focused on the physical and material protection of journalists and media workers and it should avoid enlarging the subject or the scope of the discussion to matters that are already covered by existing mandates.

Effective protection of journalists and media workers requires a comprehensive set of measures that covers prevention, safety in the field and a prompt, independent and thorough investigation into the attacks against journalists and media workers as well as the effective prosecution of the perpetrators of crimes against journalists.

The impunity in more than 90% of the cases of the more than thousand journalists killed around the world in the last 20 years clearly shows that there is a gap in international law and that no actual mechanism can combat such impunity; it also advocates for an access to effective remedy for the families of the victims when journalists and media professionals are killed.

The PEC hopes that the draft decision presented by the core group will be widely supported and that the Panel discussion to be held at the twenty-sixth session would be the opportunity to better apprehend the existing gaps in the protection of journalists and media workers.

I thank you for your attention.

16 September 2013

Item 3 – General DebateJoint Statement in response to the presentation of the report of the OHCHR on the safety of journalists

Mr. President,

I have the honor to address the Human Rights Council on behalf of Austria, Brazil, Morocco, Switzerland, Tunisia,…(72 countries)

Mr. President,

Last year marks the most dramatic year on record regarding the killings of journalists. More than 100 violent deaths have been recorded in 2012. Not only is the killing of journalists of great concern, but the exercise of their work also often exposes journalists at a whole range of other human rights violations, such as torture, enforced disappearance, arbitrary arrest and detention, as well as legal and physical harassment. The report of the OHCHR on the safety of journalists presented at this session indicates that in 2012 around 900 journalists were arrested, 2000 were threatened or physically attacked and 40 were kidnapped. This year as well, more than 50 journalists have already been killed because of their profession. What is most worrying is that in more than 90% of the reported cases, no investigations or legal procedures have been undertaken; perpetrators act with impunity.

The adoption by consensus of the first resolution on the safety of journalists by the Human Rights Council last September has sent a strong political signal and can be regarded as an important milestone. The unanimous support that the resolution has received from states of all regions was indeed very encouraging. However, the disquieting evidence of the scale and number of attacks against the physical safety of journalists as well as of incidents affecting their ability to exercise freedom of expression clearly demonstrate that much more needs to be done.

Freedom of expression is a fundamental right in any democratic society. Therefore, each state has the obligation to provide the conditions for a safe environment which enables journalists to perform their work independently and without any interference. The good practices presented in the report of the OHCHR on the safety of journalists indicate that unequivocal political commitment supported by clear and effective legislative and practical safeguards to prevent attacks and threats against journalists are the key elements of an effective approach to the protection of journalists.

The ability of the state to protect journalists is inextricably linked to the extent to whether there is general appreciation of the importance of freedom and expression, online as well as offline, the enabling legislation is in place, the rule of law prevails and the political will to protect journalists exists. We share the view of the OHCHR that a clear public position should be taken at the highest levels of government regarding the important role of journalists in society and the need to prevent and sanction violations of their rights. It is incumbent on states to ensure the safety of journalists through the implementation and enforcement of the existing international norms and standards.

The report also emphasizes again the serious and pervasive problem of impunity for attacks against journalists. Ensuring accountability is a key element in preventing future attacks, and states have an obligation to do so in international law. There is a need for swift and independent investigations into any allegation in accordance with international standards.

Mr. President,

We believe that this Council has an important role to play in promoting and protecting the safety of journalists. The report of the OHCHR also recommends the continued promotion of the issue through the Human Rights Council and related panel discussions as well as side events. We therefore believe that, as a next step, a panel discussion should be organized with a particular focus on elaborating the findings of the report of the OHCHR, identifying challenges and further developing good practices for the safety of journalists by sharing information on initiatives undertaken to protect them.

I thank you!

Press Release13.09.13

IFJ Joins Call for Action on New UN Report on Media Protection

The United Nations Human Rights Council today debated a new report on the importance of the protection of journalists, the prevention of attacks and the fight against impunity for attacks against journalists.

The Report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which was prepared by the Office of the UN High Commission of Human Rights, argues that political commitment, backed by clear and effective legislative and practical safeguards to prevent attacks and threats to journalists, are the key elements of an effective approach to the protection of journalists.

It features a contribution from the IFJ focusing on the Federation’s work on the safety of journalists such as safety training, emergency assistance from the International Safety Fund and monitoring the violations of media rights.

The new report proposes a wide range of proposals which states can implement to achieve a secure environment for safe journalism.

They include the suggestion that violence against journalists should be considered an aggravating circumstance, leading to harsher sentences against journalists’ attackers. This idea is supported by academics for its deterrence potential. The report expands on this by suggesting that investigations into attack on media should look into any link between the suspected attack and the journalist’s professional activity.

The report further advocates the creation of special units within the national legal systems to investigate attacks on journalists, an early warning system to facilitate timely intervention, and a rapid response mechanism to provide journalists with access to the authorities and protective measures.

During the debate on the report, members of the Human Rights Council were overwhelmingly positive and welcomed the measures proposed in the report.

However, in a strongly worded statement on behalf of over 70 countries, Austria warned that concrete steps are needed to translate the strong support to the report in reality. The statement specifically called for governments to take a public position at the highest level about the important role of journalists. It also suggested organising a separate event for a detailed debate on the reports’ recommendations.

The IFJ joined the call for an uncompromising implementation of the conclusions and recommendations made in the report. In a statement on the report, the Federation argues that the establishment of special investigative units dedicated to tackle the violence targeting media could contribute to greater accountability and offer genuine deterrence.

However, the Federation cautioned against any failure to act, saying that the current safety media crisis required drastic measures in order to address the pervasive culture of impunity.

It further called on the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to set up a mechanism to monitor and report to extent to which governments abide by international laws and standards concerning the safety of journalists and keep the situation under review.

Finally, the IFJ appealed for governments and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees t to assist journalists whose lives are at risk by considering issuing them with emergency visas and laisser to safety.

***03.09.2013. INSECURITY GROWING IN PAKISTAN: Pakistani media fear that government could muzzle them

PAKISTAN: Under the newly elected political set up, Pakistani media is sensing fear that the government might attempt to ‘muzzle the media’, as it done in its previous tenures in 1990’s and interestingly some recent acts taken by the government have bolster this apprehension that the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) has termed annoying and asked the Nawaz Sharif government to respect the freedom of expression.

In Pakistan, there are enormous threats posed to the safety of journalists, especially those in conflict zones of the country where Pakistani military is fighting against militants. Though, in many cases militants had killed journalists with impunity and claimed the responsibility, yet sometime fingers are also raised at the role of state agencies. In such a situation when a journalist do not know that who is threatening them ultimately compelling them on self-censorship.

During last two months (July-August 2013), a journalist was killed, others were threatened to deaths, harassed and even a big private print and electronic media house was attacked in the port city of Karachi and a case was registered against another private TV channel in trouble province of Balochistan. This indicates a resident threat of insecurity posed to journalists and media practitioners in Pakistan. It was the reason that various media defense groups including PEC have termed Pakistan as the most dangerous country for journalists on this planet.

Dead body found so decomposed

Mr. Abdul Raziq Baloch who was missing from Karachi since March 24, his dead body was found on August 21 from Mangopir area of Karachi city. His body was so decomposed that the relatives could not identify the body but the police said that a slip was found with the body with his name and address, too.

Razzaq, 42, was an ethnic Baloch and worked as a subeditor at Balochi language daily Tawar (Voice). He had gone missing from Karachi Since March 24. After his missing, Journalist bodies had demanded his recovery and family has also approached the court but the authorities denied any knowledge.

Recent statements by the government functionaries hinting that this new political set up is in no mood to tolerate the free media and has suggested some curbs on live coverage of events, like that lone gunman standoff in Islamabad on August 15. The Supreme Court had also earlier reprimanded Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) for allowing hours-at-a-stretch blanket coverage of such events. It feared that the state-run PEMRA might be given powers to pull the plug on television networks.

Draconian powers

This will be nothing, but giving powers in the hand of a regulator which will be at the same time arbiter, an adjudicator, an appellate forum and an executive authority, which in itself is nothing short of handing it draconian powers.

The move was strongly resisted by the country’s top Journalists’ body Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and its affiliate Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) by passing a resolution against it in its annual general meeting. It was said that they will resist every sort of attempt from government, the PEMRA or from any other quarter to put ban on electronic media.

At the incident of firing outside the office of the Express media group in Karachi, on August 16, the PEC also expressed dismay and asked the government to ensure the security of media houses that are working hard to make the masses know about facts. In this attack, two employees of the same media group, a security guard and a woman were killed.

The Balochistan government, registered a case against a private news channel ARY Television on August 26 under Pakistan's Anti-Terrorist Act of 1997, after the television aired a video clip of the destruction of the residence of Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah where he spent his finals days in 1947 after Pak-India partition. The government claimed that the airing the footage can incite violence or glorify the crime and is in contravention of the PEMRA.

Protests

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist, militant outfit claimed the responsibility of the bombing. The state had initially said that the heritage building had been targeted remotely. The video, however, showed masked men on the premises wreaking havoc even before the flames were lit. It was this last aspect that agitated the Supreme Court when it took suo motu notice on the airing of these clips.

Journalists took to the streets in protest the following day in various cities across the country. The PFUJ and the Baloch Union of Journalists strongly condemned the move. The same day, members of Pakistan's opposition parties walked out of the Senate over the issue. It worked and the case was withdrawn two days after it was submitted. Balochistan's chief minister stated that the report had been lodged "due to some misunderstanding."

PEC Rep in Islamabad, Israr Khan

***23.08.2013. PEC statement on the new report published by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the safety of Journalists A/HRC/24/23 - Protection of journalists: the actual good practices are not sufficient, nor effective enough in combating impunity

United Nations A/HRC/24/NGO/X General Assembly Distr.: General

English only Human Rights Council

Twenty-fourth session

Agenda item 2

Annual report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and reports of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General

Written statement submitted by Press Emblem Campaign, a non-governmental organization in special consultative status

The Secretary-General has received the following written statement which is circulated in accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31.

[22 August 2013]

Protection of journalists: the actual good practices are not sufficient, nor effective enough in combating impunity

I. Introduction

The report presented by the Office of the High commissioner for human rights (A/HRC/24/23) rightly underlines the essential role journalists and other media professionals play by ensuring transparency and accountability in the conduct of public affairs. It also points out that, in the last two decades, in less than 10% of the cases perpetrators of crimes against journalists, have been brought to justice, convicted and sentenced for their crime.

One can have a different opinion on the situations in which journalists have been murdered. In a large number of cases, journalist’s murder are related to coverage of territorial disputes, be it political disputes -at the national or international level- or economic –opposing minorities or social movements to their central government or to transnational corporations-, they often culminate in violent clashes or longstanding low intensity conflicts.

Many analysts have recently proved and the international community has admitted, in most of the cases, that the demarcation line between revolutionary/liberation/opposition armed movements and organized criminal structures can be intangible; sometimes the criminal activities are carried out by those movements in order to finance themselves.

From this perspective, political issues, crime and corruption cases may be included very often in the category of “war” (against terrorism, against crime, over disputed territories); consequently one can consider that the majority of the murder of journalists occurs in situation of war, political instability, civil unrest or economic war.

II. Applicable international law

As correctly highlighted in the above mentioned report, international human rights law and international humanitarian law establish an array of norms and standards that provide normative protection to journalists and other media professional (par.10). Considering the insignificant rate of cases of journalists’ murder solved in the past twenty years, it must be admitted that, as of today, the said protection is ineffective and not sufficient.

An accurate analysis of the cases permits to realize that in a great number of cases states are directly or indirectly involved in the crimes and consequently it would be surprisingly if the judiciary would be able to promptly, thoroughly, independently and impartially investigate. Although the obligation to protect journalists and other media professional rests on the State, it would be advisable for those cases to be investigated by an independent international mechanism.

If it can be considered that attacks against journalists in times of conflict constitutes a war crime, in practice, neither the cases of murder of journalists in time of conflict have been deferred to the International Criminal Court, nor has the Prosecutor General taken the initiative to investigate into them. Moreover, as illustrated in the introductory part, a great number of journalists’ murder occurs in situations that are not covered by the international humanitarian law, thus precluding today any possible independent investigation.

It must also be noted that for the protection to be more efficient, the right to effective remedy (notably the right to truth and compensation) should be extended to the families of the victims when journalists and media professionals are killed.

III. Initiatives relating to the safety of journalists

The above mentioned report cites a very limited number of initiatives taken by a handful number of countries, which demonstrate that the political commitment leading to a clear and effective legislative and practical safeguard to prevent threats and attacks against journalists and to ensure accountability is limited at the national level.

At the regional level, the initiatives taken by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights as well as by the OSCE are certainly valuable, but they have a geographical limited effect and, even if prevention is part of the protection of journalists and media professionals, it cannot be considered as sufficient.

The steps taken in the 21st century at the international level, notably in the framework of the UN, including the Human Rights Council, the Human Rights Committee, the Security Council and UNESCO, plead in favour of further work in this context by continuing reflection in order to achieve effective protection of journalists and media professional worldwide.

In his report to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/20/22) the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions « invites States and relevant United Nations bodies and agencies, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, to explore the need for a specific United Nations instrument…».

IV. Conclusions

The PEC considers the adoption of resolution 21/12 by the Human Rights Council as an important step in the realization of an effective protection of journalists and media workers which should lead to the promotion of a safe and enabling environment for journalists allowing them to perform their work independently and without undue interference.

The PEC considers that, in order to guarantee freedom and protection for the media, an international instrument mechanism should be adopted so that an international early warning and rapid response mechanism could effectively participate at the implementation of a “zero tolerance” culture towards any form of violence against journalists. A special international investigative unit should be set up as a mean to efficiently combat impunity, which is the main cause behind the large number of the journalists and media workers killed around the world.END

***20.08.2013. EGYPT. PEC condemns killing of journalists in Egypt and a setback for the freedom of the press

Tamer Abdel Raouf (photo) is the fifth journalist killed in Egypt in one week. The Al-Ahram bureau chief in Damanhour, Beheira, was killed by soldiers through a military check point. Another journalist, Hamed Al Barbari, a reporter for the daily Al Gumhuria, who was travelling with him in the car, was also shot in the hand and leg and has beeen hospitalised. His version is that the car was asked to stop and bullets of warning were fired, the Ahram journalist went marche arriere and stopped, but the soldiers opened fire.

Several journalists working for foreign media said they were assaulted or briefly detained. The attacks and harassment came as Egyptian authorities publicly accused international journalists of distorting coverage of recent events.

Geneva, August 20 (PEC) -- The death toll among journalists covering the unfolding events in Egypt has risen to five when a fifth journalist was killed Monday night during the hours of the curfew while driving quickly through a military check point in the governorate of Beheira in Northern Egypt. Al-Ahram bureau chief in Damanhour, Beheira, Tamer ABdel Raouf, driving quickly through a military check poking during the curfew, led soldiers to open fire. The army statement stated that the journalist was accidentally killed because he did not follow the regulations of the curfew. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns strongly the killing of the Egyptian colleague, which steps up the number of journalists killed since the dismantling of the Raba Al Adaweiya camp last Wednesday to five. Four other journalists were killed during the operation. In addition the PEC expresses extreme worry concerning the measures reported that Egyptian authorities are assaulting and detaining foreign journalists. The PEC calls upon Egyptian authorities to put aside interpretation of events as a pretext to lower the threshold of freedom of expression, and hence take action against media. The view of foreign media on unfolding events in Egypt has been a source of deep friction between Egyptian authorities and the media that reflects other opinion, that is the description of events whether it is a revolution or a military coup, whether Egyptian authorities have used excessive use of force in dismantling the two Moslem brotherhood sit ins, or was it done through maximum restraint as well as other issues. PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen denounces strongly measures taken in Egypt against foreign media which reflects a setback for the freedom of the media working in Egypt. The number of journalists killed so far worldwide since the beginning of the year stands at 75 journalists. In a separate press release, PEC condemns the death of a fourth journalist killed also Monday in Guatemala

FYI - REPORT OF THE UNION OF ARAB JOURNALISTS ON EGYPTWhen treachery bullets assassin the "truth"

Arab Journalists Federation and its Permanent Committee for Freedom denounced the attacks against journalists, newspaper reporters and photographers, which increased in the past few days and went to the extent of murder and deliberately injuring the journalists and photographers during the performance of their work; despite the fact that they only went out carrying a pen and a camera memory to register what they see... They died with a bullet that we do not know where it came from, some of them were injured in their eyes and their bodies weakened by frequent pain that the nation is suffering. Furthermore, journalist writer Mohamed Hassanein Heikal's house was assaulted and its garden was damaged from unknown persons believed to be supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood.

This is any journalist's mission who always seeks to find the truth armed only by his pen or camera, a person who no one can deny his peacefulness; his blood is a sin that will be in the hands of his assassins.

In the recent period, there were many victims of our colleagues who put their lives on their hands and go out to practice their work, regardless of their political trends.

Arab Journalists Federation monitored number of these cases in which our colleagues were shot and killed while doing their job, the most important on August 14th during evacuating the Rabeaa and Nahda sit-in where four journalists were killed, including:

• Habiba Abdul Aziz, a reporter and photographer of "Gulf News" Emirati newspaper, who was killed by a bullet in the head in the field during the evacuation of Rabaa sit-in.

• Michael Dean, photographer of "Sky News" channel, a British national, who was killed in Rabaa, according to a report of the Health Insurance Hospital in Nasr City, proved that he died after being shot in the heart.

• Ahmed Abdel Gawad, journalist of Akhbar Newspaper, was shot near the area of Rabaa and he works in the news section of Misr 25 Channel.

• Musab al-Shamy, cameraman of Rasd Network who was shot and killed by Cartouche Bullet in the vicinity of Rabaa.

Arab Journalists Federation and the Freedom Committee's report condemn the injuries of a large number of journalists, including:

• Ahmed Najjar, photographer of Almasry Elyoum who was shot and wounded by a Cartouche Bullet and his Camera was confiscated by a Public Committee of people.

• Tarek Abbass, editor of Watan Newspaper, who was wounded by Cartouche Bullet below his eye in Rabaa Adaweya.

• Asmaa Wageih, Photographer of Reuters, who was hit by a bullet in the foot and a surgery operation was conducted in a private hospital.

• Mohamed Kamal, of Dostor newspaper was shot.

• Alaa Kamhawi, Photographer of Almasry Elyoum, a surgery operation was performed to extract the bullet he received in his foot.

• Assault on photographer Omar Saher "Almasry Elyoum" inside Rabaa Sit- in after threatening by knives and his camera and press card were confiscated.

• Eman Helal of Watan Newspaper was assaulted by civilians "inside Rabaa Sit- in after threatening by knives and her camera and press card were confiscated, she was rescued by people from within the sit-in itself.

• Mahmoud Kulaid. Cameraman of Nahar TV was injured and his camera was smashed, while he was covering events in Mohandseen area in front of Mustafa Mahmoud Mosque.

• Mohammed Shannah, Reporter of Watan Newspaper, he was assaulted while performing his work in covering the evacuation of Rabaa sit-in.

In Aswan Governorate, the report monitored many of the attacks on journalists and press offices managers in the governorate, including:

• Abdullah Mashaly, Journalist of Watan newspaper office in Aswan, was assaulted by supporters of President Mohamed Mursi, using batons.

• Mohamed Awad, director of the Office of the Middle East News Agency, who has been surrounded by supporters of the ousted President Mursi while covering the repercussions of the events taking place in the city of Aswan.

• Hamada Baazk, Director of the office of Shorouk newspaper in Aswan who was beaten by Mursi supporters and he was wounding in the head that required 10 stitches.

• Mahmoud Al Mulla, Director of the Office of Almasry Alyoum in Aswan who was wounded in the foot and his mobile phone was stolen.

• Prevention of the Director of the Office of Veto Newspaper in Aswan, Doaa Ibrahim Mahmoud of photographing and she was expelled from the place of the events.

• Arab Journalists Federation and Freedoms Committee condemned the Journalists detention, confiscating their cameras and capture them; they asked for their release and protection, the report monitored the following:

• Arrest of "Tom Fin" a reporter of "Reuters" and two others by the security forces; they were released after deleting everything that they filmed.

• Arrest of Ali Mohamed Hawary, Journalist in Sada El Balad Web site for 16 hours in front of the Tiba Mall next to Rabaa sit-in; Security forces also seized Khaled El Feki's camera, a photographer of German Agency.

• Voicemail of cell phones of Diaa Rashwan, Head of Egyptian Journalists Syndicate, and Ahmed Muslamani, Media advisor of the Egyptian President, and journalist in Ahram Newspaper, were hacked by aggressive and hostile messages, came to read that " the owner of this number is a criminal and a murderer with a bloody hands as well as a liar, a hypocrite and everyone who will call him is an associate, God is our defender and supporter".

Events & Attacks:

Many events are happening in the homeland and attacks that are specifically targeting the Journalists, started long ago and increased after June 30th and the second wave of the Egyptian revolution which the report monitored and a question is raised: who is responsible for the intimidation of journalists during the performance of their work? What is the threat that they represent while they are only carrying a camera and a pen!!! Nevertheless increasing the number of attacks on them in clashes between supporters and opponents of Mursi.

The reports added that some journalists have paid their lives to cover the clashes such as journalist Ahmed Essam, who was killed in the events of the Republican Guard also photojournalist Mohamed Badr of Al-Jazeera Channel is still detained on charges of hooliganism and possession of weapons. That is rejected by everyone despite our disagreement with the biased coverage of the channel.

It was reported that the journalist Menna Alaa was assaulted by supporters of Mursi and journalist Nada ElKhouly of Sherouk Newspaper by Mursi opponents at Zeitoun neighborhood. Gehan Nasr, the Photographer of Sherouk Newspaper was assaulted by Mursi supporters during her coverage of Nahda sit-in days before the evacuation. • In July 2nd our colleague the photojournalist Mustafa Shimi, was attacked by protests of Nahda sit-in, supporters of President Mursi, during performing his work to cover the sit-in. Mustafa was surprised by four men who grabbed him and assaulted him severely as well as confiscating his camera and laptop and smashed them. He miraculously managed to escape and went to Dokki Police station to file a report on the incident.

• On July 19th 2013, a number of Rabaa sit-in security responsible assaulted our colleague Hatem Zuhairi, Journalist of Sada El Balad Website by batons, he was held inside one of the building's entrance in Tayaran Street before the residents of the building intervened to release him and evacuate him from the place, security responsible in Rabaa sit-in at the entrance of Tayaran street have seized his press ID card during the personal inspection when he entered the place and once they know that he is a journalist in Sada El Balad News website, they arrested him, and held him in the entrance of one of the buildings in Tayaran Street. They assaulted him with batons causing bruises in various parts of his body, before the residents of the building intervened to persuade them to release him.

The report presented a living testimony of the editor of Almasry Alyoum News Gate "Menna Alaa" who suffered last July from attacks that she registered, she wrote: "Before I start to write what happened to me, I hesitated wondering, am I going to cite today's incident or shall I only satisfy with my morning tweets... but I decided that I must write what I experienced after I read the shameful Comments of my attack news on Almasry Alyoum news Gate, commentators suggested that I fabricated the story to hide my failure to cover the event. Who know me well is sure how many times I put my life at risk whenever insisting on covering events and Islamists demonstrations.... I'm not a hero and no one will be crowned a hero….

But I decided to do what I was taught by my parents, "Show the truth, and nothing but the truth." Whenever I headed to Islamists demonstrations, I acknowledged to myself that they have the right to be listened to as they are a human being... On July 19th (10th Ramadan), there were calls for massive demonstrations for supporters of Mohamed Mursi, after Friday prayers. I talked with my manager at 3:30 PM to tell him that I will not head to the headquarters of the newspaper Street in Kasr Al-Aini and I will go to the Republican Guard House in Salah Salem Street to report the events of supporters' demonstrations before they return to Rabaa Adawiya. My manager was hesitant to let me go and when I arrived there were demonstrators on the other side of the house next to the building of the Ministry of Planning. They were trapped as the army closed all surrounding roads. I brought my camera and started filming talks between the army and demonstrators, chants were raised "They betrayed and killed our brothers, in the dawn prayer" (referring to what some called the massacre of the Republican Guard).

One of the demonstrators began to shout "what are you filming?" I assured him that I am a journalist and I am covering the event, another protester came to me apologizing for misunderstanding. The Republican Guard ignored them, so they decided to return to Rabaa Adawiya using a shortcut road next to the Ministry of Planning (Street Salah Salem). I decided to go with the marches to fully cover the event and go back to the headquarters of the newspaper. The protesters completed their march with the utmost peaceful until we reached Asmaa Zaghloul Street. I saw a car speeding toward the march, protesters began to curse saying '"Son of the ****." I saw demonstrators carrying police batons and what similar and even worse... they jumped on the car, broke its glass, as they were on the verge of killing three men in the car who had started to shout for help…I was filming all of this with my camera when one of the protestors who were smashing the car came to me and take me by force saying "whom you are working with? He cursed, O daughter of the dog."I decided to deal with the situation quietly and left my camera thinking only in the safe exit. My camera vanished and I think it was immediately destroyed, suddenly, a man came carrying a two-year old son and slapped me saying, "Hey daughter of the dog, who sent you??? The army?" I started to scream and cry, the number of demonstrators around me increased and they were asking "Who is she?" the man replied, saying, "She is from the car that attacked us," I cried, saying, "God never, I have been with your marches since the morning" one of them shouted at me "What a liar." I realized that this is the end and I said to myself, "Lord if I'm going to die please let me die quickly." One of the protesters came to me shouting, "She is not with them, let her go" surrounding me with his hands, a veiled woman came to me saying "they are not with us they are from the army and police".

They insisted that I go with them to Rabaa Adaweya; I asked them to leave me and to try to regain my camera.

People of the territory came down to us and asked, "what happened?" one of the protestors replied, "an army officer hit her" I went to the resident and told him, "Take me to the Republican Guard House," Mursi supporters insisted "she will go with us to Rabaa" His insistence was strange and the resident took me and completely exit me from the place.

I walked with one of the residents till I saw a Military Solider who asked me to approach and have already approached him, he had seen how stressful I was and how I was not fully conscious, he said, "You were filming in front of us a while ago, what happened??" I told him, "yes, he asked for my press ID and said to me, "Sorry, I have nothing to do to help you but I hope you can reveal their truth and show their true image for the whole world." I left him and went to Salah Salem Street again with volunteers from the residents. I received a call from my friend Haitham Taabi'i, (Correspondent of AFP), who decided to take me to the headquarters of the newspaper. I came back to the headquarters in down town and the nightmare had finished.

Horror series

Series of horror experienced by all of workers in this profession whom decided to reveal the truth whatever it was, which provoked the continuous attacks on him, as happened with our colleague Ahmed Mahmoud, reporter of Watan newspaper- according to the report of the Federation - when a number of young Muslim Brotherhood surrounding the group's place in Sharqia assaulted him. On 22 / 07 / 2013, Mohammed Heza Bazaid, a journalist member of Welad El Balad - Mansoura Edition was kidnapped and tortured during his coverage of the clashes between supporters and opponents of the Muslim Brotherhood and the nameless kidnappers tortured "Bazaid" blindfolded in an unknown location and electrical shocked him.

• On July 27th, 2013, Video Journalist Halim Chaarani was attacked in the events of the Unknown Soldier platform.

• On July 30th, 2013, The report monitored the assault on journalist Ismail Refaat correspondent of Youm 7 newspaper in the vicinity of Rabaa Adaweya after being held by people claiming to be from the security responsible, he has been taken to the media center of the sit-in, he filed a report in the police station under the number 1348 in which he accused the journalist Hassan Kabbani who was the only one who know him from attackers.

• On August 1st 2013, Tarek Wageih, photographer of Almasry Alyoum was assaulted while filming the fortifications made by Mursi supporters in Rabaa Adaweya where he was arrested and driven to the press center and one of the supporters "Ahmed Moghir" seized his own camera.

• On August 2nd, 2013, one fellow of the brotherhood members attacked our colleague "Mustafa Muhammad" photographer of Watan newspaper, he was beaten on his face, during the coverage of the Mustafa Mahmoud march organized by the Muslim Brotherhood, broke his own camera. They also tried to assault "Aya Fathy" photographer of Dostor newspaper, who documented the hit incident of her colleague on video.

• On the same day, the vicinity of media production city witnessed clashes between supporters of ousted President Mohamed Mursi, and the security forces after the supporters threw stones on the security forces stationed in front of the Media Production City as well as firing them with cartouche which led to the destroy of the security room as well as dozens of cars and ten members of the police forces were injured, after thwarting their attempt to close the oasis road with bricks.• On August 9th, 2013, our fellow journalist Mohammed Momtaz in "Veto Newspaper" was assaulted, tortured and photographed naked by the members of the group, its allies and supporters of Mohamed Mursi in Nahda Square as he was assigned to cover the supporting marches from Mostafa Mahmoud Mosque, but during the performance of his work, he was surprised by two persons asking him about the reason for his presence in the field, they forced him into a car after blindfolding him and took him to Nahda field to complete the questioning, they broke his cell phone and ensure that what he filmed will never come out to the light, then they beat him and threw him in front of the Security Directorate in Giza, Some citizens took him to Alsalam hospital.

• On August 10th, 2013, Journalists Syndicate filed a report against the attack on Mohammed Momtaz and Aya Hassan editor in video department of Youm 7 website.

***19.08.2013. EGYPT. Egypt Lashes Out at Foreign News Media’s Coverage - PEC deeply regrets and condemns recent developments against egyptian and foreign media in Cairo - PEC calls the egyptian authorities to respect freedom of the press and the right of foreign journalsits to work freely and safely

Amid an international outcry over a bloody crackdown, the new government installed by Gen. Abdul-Fattah el-Sisi is putting concerted pressure on the only remaining news outlets in Egypt covering criticism of the violence: the foreign news media.

The military had already shut down all the Egyptian television networks that supported President Mohamed Morsi on the night the general ousted him. Now, in the last four days, the new authorities have raided and shut down the offices of the pan-Arab Al Jazeera network, taken steps to deny its Egyptian license and, on Sunday, arrested its correspondent Abdullah El-Shamy on charges of inciting murder and sectarian violence. Al Jazeera, based in Qatar, was the only big Arabic-language network considered sympathetic to the Muslim Brotherhood. Senior government officials, meanwhile, publicly scolded Western correspondents in two news conferences and a public statement for failing to portray the crackdown in the government’s terms: as a war against violent terrorists. On Sunday, even General Sisi joined the chorus, criticizing foreign news media for failing to appreciate his mandate to fight terrorism. The criticisms echoed incessantly through the state and private media, and, in an apparent response, vigilante supporters of General Sisi have attacked or detained at least a dozen foreign journalists, a vast majority on the same day that an adviser to the president delivered the first diatribe against Western news coverage.

“One could be forgiven for saying that there is a coordinated campaign against the foreign journalists,” Matt Bradley, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, said Sunday in an interview with Al Jazeera’s English-language sister network. He described being pulled into an armored personnel carrier by soldiers rescuing him after a mob tackled him, tore at his clothes and took his notebook.

Coming at the end of a week when security forces killed more than 1,000 Morsi supporters in the streets, the push to control how the news media portray the violence is the latest sign of the government’s authoritarian turn, which its officials have justified as emergency measures to save Egypt from a coordinated campaign of violence by the Islamists of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Scholars and human rights activists say they see signs of broad coordination between Egypt’s state and private media to drive home the same messages. After the first mass shooting following the military takeover killed more than 60 Morsi supporters at a sit-in, for example, television talk shows across the state and private media seemed to suggest that the Islamists might have deliberately provoked the violence to tarnish the military. Later, all seemed to discover that even Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain had argued for limiting human rights in the interest of protecting national security.

“There is very clear coordination,” said Heba Morayef, a researcher in Egypt for Human Rights Watch. “Forgetting what is true or not, it is interesting that you hear the same thing from everybody.”

Prominent human rights activists whose criticism of the former government made them a staple of Egypt’s nightly talk shows for the last two years say invitations have dried up as they have continued to criticize the police’s disproportionate violence since General Sisi’s takeover on July 3.

The scholars say the sudden pro-government unanimity of the Egyptian news media, following the cacophonous explosion of news media freedom after the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak two years ago, is a throwback not just to the Mubarak era but much further — to the pre-satellite era when the government ran all Egyptian media. Some said the chorus of criticisms of the Islamists as “terrorists” — relatively seldom heard here until July — recalled the years of the early 1950s, when Col. Gamal Abdel Nasser consolidated his power by cracking down on the Muslim Brotherhood.

Even some of the headlines were almost the same, said Prof. Mona el-Ghobashy, a political scientist at Barnard who has tracked the Egyptian news media over the last eight months.

“It is the same hyper-nationalist discourse about how the Islamists are terrorists, that these people represent a transnational Islamism or some kind of foreign import, so they are not real Egyptians.” Officials now charge, without evidence, that many protesters are Syrian or Palestinian.

She noted a pattern of “dehumanizing” the Islamists across the state and private media that began shortly after General Sisi removed Mr. Morsi, when the Islamists established a tent-city protest camp. Talk-show hosts said participants of the sit-in had scurvy. Other media outlets gleefully repeated an allegation by a government-sponsored women’s group that the Islamists there were conducting “sexual jihad” with women at the protests.

To support the crackdown, “you have to dehumanize them,” Professor Ghobashy said.

The core of the government’s complaint with Western news media coverage is what it considers an excessive focus on the hundreds of Morsi supporters killed by police violence and an insufficient attention to the acts of violence by Morsi supporters. Angry Morsi supporters around the country have attacked and burned churches since his ouster and the crackdown; on Sunday, the government distributed a Christian newspaper’s tally of 26 churches attacked, though the number could not be confirmed independently.

In the relatively lawless Sinai, a haven for Islamist militants, deadly attacks on soldiers and police officers have spiked since Mr. Morsi’s ouster. And, in the days since Wednesday’s sit-in, several Morsi supporters have been seen in Cairo carrying or firing guns in clashes with the police or their civilian backers, including during the sit-in assault. Some of the civilians fighting them were also armed.

At a news conference on Sunday with the interim foreign minister, Nabil Fahmy, the government showed video footage and passed out a few photographs of Islamists in different scenes wielding guns in the clashes, and one man who wrapped a weapon in paper to hide it before he ran through the battle at the breakup of the sit-in.

As the police closed in with tear gas, birdshot and sharp-point ammunition, many Morsi supporters tried to fight back by throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails. The government has said more than 40 security officers were killed that day in violence around the country. Some Islamists had predicted or threatened violence over Mr. Morsi’s ouster and the crackdown.

But there remains no evidence that the Muslim Brotherhood has systematically plotted violence or that the sit-ins posed a threat to other civilians. And critics of the deadly crackdown say it was disproportionate no matter who shot first.

But the message from the government and news media here over the weekend was that Egyptians feel “severe bitterness” toward Western news because it is “biased toward the Muslim Brotherhood,” the government said in a printed statement summing up the news conferences.

The clearing of the Islamist sit-in may have killed more than 600 people. But Mustafa Hegazy, a government spokesman, said at a news conference on Saturday that, in the face of the Brotherhood’s violence, security forces had exercised “a huge amount of self-restraint and self-control.”

August 14 Geneva, (PEC) -- The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns in the strongest possible manner the killing of Mick Deane, Sky News' experienced cameraman and photographer Habiba Abdelaziz today during their coverage of the break in by police and security forces at Raba Al Adawiya camp, a stronghold of pro-Morsi protestors.

Egyptian journalist Ahmed Abdel Gawad, who wrote for the state-run newspaper Al Akhbar and a suspended Moslem brotherhood TV station Misr25, was also killed while covering the crackdown at Taba Al Adawiya, according to the Egyptian Press Syndicate. Another photographer Mosab El Shami with Rasd Internet news media (pro-Islamist) is reported killed while covering the massacre.

Habiba Abdulaziz, the Gulf News photographer, was killed with a gun shot in the head during her coverage of the dismantling of the sit-in.

Deane and Habiba were killed during the cross fire between the security forces and the protestors supporting the deposed president Mohammed Morsy.

Sky News, according to its statement, did not name so far the perpetrators.

Mick, 61, had worked for Sky for 15 years, based in Washington and then Jerusalem.

The married father of two was part of the team covering the violence in Cairo. The rest of the team is unhurt.

The Head of Sky News John Ryley described Mick as the very best of cameramen, a brilliant journalist and an inspiring mentor to many at Sky.

PEC calls on Egyptian security forces to respect the right of journalists to work freely and safely while covering events in Cairo and the rest of the country.

Up to date 72 journalists were killed around the world since the beginning of this year, and at least 8 are kidnapped in Syria. Six were killed in Egypt, now the third most dangerous country after Pakistan and Syria.

Habiba Ahmed Abd Elaziz (photo) was 26. She was a reporter for XPress, a newspaper based in the United Arab Emirates. Gulf News, which published XPress, said she had been killed by sniper fire. Other journalists were injured: they included Reuters photographer Asma Wadi, who was hit in the leg by a shot fired from an AK-47 rifle, Tarek Abbas, a reporter for the Egyptian newspaper Al-Watan, who sustained gunshot injuries to an eye and a leg, Iman Hilal, a photographer for the Egyptian daily Al-Masry Al-Youm, threatened with a knife and photographer Ahmad Najjar who sustained a gunshot injury to the arm during the clashes in Mostafa Mahmoud Square. Most of the media victims were photographers because their greater visibility exposed them to targeted shooting.

***03.07.2013.The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) in its report covering the first half of 2013 says that fewer journalists were killed as compared to the same period last year, but that more journalists were kidnapped: 56 journalists killed in 6 months in 23 countries(scroll down for French, Spanish, Arabic - click left on TICKING CLOCK for the list of casualties)

Geneva (PEC) 3 July 2013 - The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) in its report covering the first half of 2013 says that fewer journalists were killed as compared to the same period last year, but that more journalists were kidnapped.

In six months, since January, 56 journalists were killed in 23 countries as compared to 75 during the same period last year, representing a reduction of 25 percent.

"This decrease in casualties is a source of satisfaction", said PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen. He hopes that this trend will continue thanks to the efforts of NGOs, media organizations, the United Nations and governments.

Last year, a record number of journalists were killed: 141.

“There is an improvement compared to 2012, but if we compare the statistics with the first six months of 2011: 54 killed, 2010 : 59 killed and 2009 : 53 killed, we notice a stability of two journalists killed per week”, added Lempen. "It is too much and we need to continue fighting for more security and access in zones of conflict and less impunity".

The latest casualty is from Egypt during an anti-regime protest. The PEC condemns this killing and calls upon Egyptian security forces to provide additional safety measures for journalists during the difficult times of reporting.

Hostage taking in Syria

Abductions have increased dramatically. Hostage taking has become the norm in Syria similar to Iraq between 2003 and 2006. At least 7 foreign journalists have been abducted or have disappeared in Syria : Didier François and Edouard Elias (France, since June 6), Armin Wertz (Germany, since May 5), Domenico Quirico (Italy, since April 9), James Foley (United States, since November 22), Austin Tice (United States, since August 13), and Bashar Fahmi Al-Kadumi (Palestine, since August 20). Other journalists have been abducted recently in Honduras and Yemen.

PEC President Hedayat Abdelnabi called for their immediate release.

Journalists are neutral witnesses who through their work show public opinion the suffering of the victims whoever they are and independent of their affiliations. They should not be used as targets or become a tool for collecting money.

Pakistan: the most dangerous country

According to the PEC figures Pakistan with ten journalists killed remains the most dangerous country for media work ahead of Syria : 8, Somalia and Brazilwith 5 journalists killed in each country.

India comes in 5th rank with 4 media workers killed, two journalists were killed in the following countries: Guatemala, Haiti, Iraq, Mexico, Paraguay and the Philippines.

The PEC also condemns the killing of one journalist in the following countries: Afghanistan, Central Africa, Ecuador, Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Peru, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Russia, Tanzania and Yemen.

Compared to the same period last year, an improvement has taken place in Syria - 8 killed against 21 last year during the reporting period, and in Mexico 2 against 8 last year.

However, the situation has worsened in Pakistan - 10 killed against 6 last year, and the situation has not improved in Somalia, 5 killed against 6 last year, and the same for Brazil.

Because of Pakistan Asia is the leading casualty continent with 17 journalists killed ahead of Latin America: 15, the Middle East: 12, Africa: 11 and Europe 1.

***30.06.2013. PAKISTAN. Pakistan is becoming a “NO” country for foreign journalists

Pakistan is becoming a “NO” country for foreign journalists, as during last two months two foreign journalists have been expelled by not renewing or extending their visas, on which the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) has expressed its concern and asked the new government of Nawaz Sharif to recognize ‘media freedom’ as integral for strengthening of democracy and its functioning.

Although in Pakistan during June 2013 no visible violence has been seen against journalists, yet media reporting from troubled tribal areas and Balochistan province is still under a persistent fear and threats which calls for the government to take tangible steps for the protection of journalists, the PEC noted.

After the expulsion of Declan Walsh of The New York Times bureau chief in Islamabad in May, an Indian Journalist Rezaul Hasan Lashkar who was reporting on Pakistan and lived in Islamabad for five and a half years was also asked in June to leave the country and his visa was not extended or renewed. And he had to pack up and leave in just a little over two weeks.

Walsh was ordered by the Pakistan’s Interior Ministry on the eve of national elections through the hands of police officers in form of two sentences letter reads, “It is informed that your visa is hereby canceled in view of your undesirable activities,” the order stated. “You are therefore advised to leave the country within 72 hours.”

In Indian journalist case, on June 13, he was informed that his presence was no longer acceptable to someone, somewhere – through a phone call and a letter. In the letter, he was informed that he should leave by June 23. As he had already applied for visa extension, after getting the letter he panicked as he had no valid visa by then, without which he could not even leave. However, after his much efforts, he was given a ‘generous’ extension till June 29.

The tradition is that the journalist is allowed a short overlap with his successor for a smooth transition. But both Rezaul Hasan and Anita Joshua, the second Indian journalist in Pakistan, who were scheduled to leave in any case and were only waiting for their successors to show up, were denied this in recent months.

Indeed, Hasan’s abrupt departure came hot on the heels of the return of his counterpart – Anita Joshua of The Hindu – who was asked to leave shortly after the elections (but before the new government took charge). Both Joshua and Hasan were told to leave after Nawaz Sharif – the political leader who wanted and wants peace with India.

Local journalists are threatened, bribed, abducted or killed, but in foreign journalists cases the government apply these types of tactics of denying visas or expulsions which is not acceptable in a civilized world, the campaign said.

Israr Khan, PEC Representative in Islamabad

***15.06.2013. ISRAEL. THE PRESS EMBLEM CAMPAIGN (PEC) PROTESTS AGAINST DOUBLE STANDARDS AT THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL and deeply regrets personal attacks against the Special rapporteur on human rights in the palestinian territories Richard Falk - STATEMENT DELIVERED BY GIANFRANCO FATTORINI ON BEHALF OF 19 NGOs, INCLUDING PEC

We express our deepest concern about the way the Council acted on Item 7, or more precisely the way it didn’t act. We note with regret a trend toward applying double standards in the decision-making processes in the Council.

While the Council expresses its concern in each of its sessions about the human rights violations committed in the Arab Republic of Syria in the past 2 years, with 4 special sessions convened on the issue in that period, it sometimes remains silent, as it did at this session, on the decennial, continuous war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Israeli colonial power in the occupied State of Palestine. This longstanding occupation, and the crimes related to it, justifies the retention of Item 7 on the Agenda of the Council.

We wish also to stress that we dissociate our organisations from the language used by some colleagues during the Interactive dialogue with the Special rapporteur, Mr. Richard Falk, and the General debate on Item 7 and we deeply regret that personal attacks against him have been allowed to be expressed in the room because this is not only an attempt to attack the integrity of Mr. Falk, but rather of the entire system of the Special Procedures of the Council.

Furthermore, the Council surprisingly failed to address in an effective manner the issue of the non-cooperation of the State of Israel with the Universal Periodic Review Mechanism. OP4 of Decision A/HRC/OM/7/1 states that the Council “Decides to consider at the session when the President’s final report will be considered, but at the latest at its 23rd session, any steps that may be deemed appropriate in light of the provisions of the UNGA resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006 and the HRC resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007”.

Finally, Mr. President,

We express here our profound dismay noting that a State may not only infringe with impunity the principles of the Charter and defy every UN resolution concerning its occupation policy, but on top of it be awarded for it by being granted the privilege to negotiate its participation in the work of the highest international body for the protection and promotion of Human Rights. By negotiating with, instead of condemning a longstanding colonial power, the UN Human Rights Council is losing its integrity and its credibility.

I thank you for your attention.

14 June 2013

***10.06.2013. PEC STATEMENT DELIVERED AT THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL 20 YEARS AFTER THE ADOPTION OF THE VIENNA DECLARATION

General AssemblyHuman Rights Council22nd session

Item 8 - Follow-up and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of ActionGeneral debate

Mr. President,

Twenty years after the adoption of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action[1], more than a thousand journalists have been killed around the world. The great majority of them in the context of civil war or civil unrest; in less than 5% of the cases the responsible have been brought to justice and convicted.

Although the international community made the pledge in 1993 to guarantee freedom and protection for the media, the impunity prevails for the killers of media workers. Last year, in adopting Resolution A/HRC/RES/21/12, this very Council urged States to promote a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work independently and without undue interference.

Nevertheless, too many States act inconsistently with the international commitments; therefore, journalists are confronted to a vicious climate created by the State’s authority that can ultimately lead to the killing of journalists and the establishment of a culture of impunity.

For instance, we refer here to the attack on Gezim Bimbashi, a reporter with public broadcaster RTK TV who was beaten on 22 April, while filming protests on Shumadia square in Mitrovica. We refer also to the attack last 1st May on Mufail Limani, the editor in chief of the public broadcaster, Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK) which is pointing to a developing trend of harassment and intimidation of journalist and media professionals in Kosovo. The PEC refers to the detention in Skopje of Tomislav Kezarovski, an investigative journalist at the daily Nova a journalist currently being detained for 30 days in relation to an article he wrote in 2008. We also express our concern about police treatment of the media covering demonstrations in Frankfurt last week.

The Islamic Republic of Iran continues to jail dozens of journalists. Iranian authorities are holding at least 40 journalists in prison as the June presidential election approaches, thus reflecting the government’s continuing determination to silence independent coverage of public affairs.

Too many other cases could be brought to your attention as examples of the breaches of the pledge made in 1993 regarding the guarantees for freedom and protection for the media. In order to effectively combat the impunity linked to the killings of journalists, a judicial binding mechanism should be implemented at the international level.

The PEC expresses once again its deepest concern about the difficulties journalists have to face in carrying out their duty in the context of the longstanding conflict in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Restriction imposed on the freedom to movement for journalists is the biggest challenge for journalists reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Most Palestinian journalists are unable to enter Israel, and are subject to restrictions even within the West Bank, while Gaza residents have problems leaving the Strip. Israeli journalists, for their part, are unable to visit Gaza and may face new accreditation requirements in the West Bank.

The PEC wishes to remember that during eight days of fighting with Hamas forces last November, Israel launched airstrikes that targeted two buildings in Gaza housing local and international news outlets, injuring at least nine journalists. Separate missile attacks killed at least two other journalists. No independent inquiry has been conducted yet on this events.

The periodic reports of the Palestinian Center for Development & Media Freedom[1] (MADA), the first recipient of the PEC Award in 2009, corroborate what the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of opinion and expression, Mr. La Rue, highlighted in his Mission report presented at the 20th session of the Human Rights Council[2]: the State of Israel continues to abuse Palestinian journalists posing a threat on their lives and preventing them from exercising their profession.

On 2nd April 2013, the Israeli Occupation Forces attacked a group of journalists during their coverage of a peaceful protest in Jerusalem on the death of prisoner Maysara Abu Hameda, they are: Quds Net Correspondent Diala Jweihan, Wafa Agency Photographer Afef Omera, French Agency Photographer Jamil Qudmani, Al Quds Newspaper Photographer Mahmoud Alian, and Ranwa Agency Photographer Saeed Alqaq.

On 8th April 2013 an Israeli soldier deliberately shot a rubber bullet on the Palestinian News Network PNN cameraman Mohammad Waleed Alaza (23 years old), during his coverage of the clashes between Palestinian youth and Israeli Occupation Forces in Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem. Alaza was hit in the face beneath his eye.

The editor in chief of the Hona Alquds Network for the local media at Alquds University Mazen Awad was beaten by three Israeli Occupation soldiers while trying to Pass Beit Eil Checkpoint On 17th April 2013 and his journalism I.D was confiscated as well.

On the Palestinian side, the number of journalists prosecuted and harassed is too high and the State of Palestine should promote a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work independently and without undue interference.

In light of the essential role journalists play in providing independent information to the public, the PEC calls on the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territories Occupied since 1967 to dedicate a section in his report to the violations of the fundamental freedoms and rights of the media workers in the OPT.

***07.06.2013. PEC STATEMENT DELIVERED AT THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ON TURKEY

General AssemblyHuman Rights Council23rd session

Item 4 - Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention

General debate

Mr. President,

PEC would like to draw the Council’s attention to press freedom and the situation for journalists in Turkey. Turkish Medias are too often under assault, facing prosecutions, frequent police raids, and politically motivated arrests. 47 journalists are currently imprisoned for carrying out their professional work; thousands more are facing punitive lawsuits for reporting on politically sensitive issues – ranging from corruption to ethnic conflict.

In the events of the recent “Occupy Gezi Park” protests in Istanbul, reporters and journalists have been victims of both targeted attacks and indiscriminate violence used by police to disperse demonstrators. Among them are well-known freelance journalist Ahmet Sik, who suffered from serious injuries after being hit in the head by a tear gas canister on 31 May 2013, while photographing clashes between police and protesters. The brutal and disproportionate force repeatedly used by the police affected other journalists as well; following reporters were treated for their injuries: Hüseyin Özdemir from Milliyet, Emrah Gürel from Hürriyet Daily News, Osman Örsal from Reuters, and Bora Bayraktar from Euronews.

Furthermore, Internet censorship and limited bandwidth have been reported during the clashes between police and protesters. According to some of those reports, social media sites like Facebook and Twitter were blocked on ISPs - in particular the two major ones TTNet and Superonline.

The majority of the journalists currently in jail in Turkey are being prosecuted under the country's sweeping anti-terror law, passed in 1991 and updated in 2006. Most journalists have not been convicted of crimes, but are being held for extended periods in pre-trial detention.

Last April 26, two journalists prosecuted in the “media committee case” which is a part of the KCK trials were provisionally released. While welcoming this step, the PEC expresses its concern for the 24 Kurdish media employees and journalists held on procedural grounds.

The PEC is also deeply concerned about the ban imposed by the Reyhanli Penal Court of Peace on all news outlets from covering the Reyhanli bombings that killed 51 Turkish citizens on 11 May 2013. As justification, the court cited, in part, Article 3 of Turkey's Press Law, which allows for restrictions on news media when the "public health and morals, national security, public order, public safety, and the unity of the land" are at stake. This is a clear abuse of the right of the State to restrict the freedom of expression.

The PEC calls upon Turkey, co-sponsor of the Council’s resolution 21/12, adopted by consensus last September, to ensure accountability on attacks against journalists and to promote a safe and enabling environment for journalists.

I thank you for your attention.

Gianfranco FattoriniPEC Permanent Representative to the United Nations

***06.06.2013. FOR THE PEC AWARD CEREMONY, CLICK LEFT ON PEC AWARD

***04.06.2013. PEC STATEMENT DELIVERED AT THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ON THE OCCASION OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION OF INQUIRY ON SYRIA

General AssemblyHuman Rights Council23rd session

Item 4 - Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention

Report of the Independent international commission of inquiry on the situationin the Syrian Arab Republic (A/HRC/23/58)

Mr. President,

The PEC wishes to call the attention on the particularly difficult conditions in which journalists and media workers have to carry out their duty. In this conflict, where a growing number of actors are present in the field, killing of journalists are granted with impunity.

According to PEC figures, 49 media workers have lost their lives since the beginning of the clashes that followed the first public demonstrations; some of them were killed by the governmental forces, some by the anti-governmental groups. Since you presented the report to this very Council last March, three journalists were killed in Syria (Ahmed Khaled Shehadeh, Abdul Raheem Kour Hassan and Yara Abbas).

Dozens of journalists are detained, among them Mazen Darwish and his colleagues Hussein Gharir and Hani Zaitani from the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM) arrested in February 2012 and charged with terrorism activities while acting as journalists. The PEC calls for their immediate release and the withdrawal of the charges pending on them.

The PEC denounces once again the practice of arresting media workers and keeping them incommunicado, as well as the practice of kidnapping to which you refer in your report (par. 70). We are particularly concerned by the fate and the whereabouts of Armin Wertz, a German journalist,whotold on May 5 by SMS that he was being held by Syrian police in Aleppo. The German reporter is at least the fifth foreign journalist detained or missing in Syria with two Americans (Austin Tice and James Foley) and a Palestinian (Bashar Fahmi Al-Kadumi) since August 2012, and an Italian (Dominico Quirico) since April 2013.

The PEC urges the Commission of inquiry to investigate on the emprisonment, kidnapping and killings of media workers and to include in the future reports a standing section dedicated to this very particular matter.

I thank you for your attention.

4th June 2013

Please note that in his concluding remarks, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, chairperson of the commission of inquiry, thanked non-governmental organizations for their contribution during the elaboration of the report, especially for their reports on behalf of victims, and said that the next report would deal with the very serious killings of journalists and stress how conflict affected media workers.

***03.06.2013. PEC STATEMENT AT THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ON THE OCCASION OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE REPORT OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FRANK LA RUE

General AssemblyHuman Rights Council23rd session

Item 3 - Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, socialand cultural rights, including the right to development

Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right tofreedom of opinion and expression (A/HRC/23/40)

Mr. President,

The PEC praises Mr. La Rue for his detailed report on the implications of States’ surveillance of communications on the exercise of the human rights to privacy and to freedom of opinion and expression and we thank him for having kept a constant attention on the implication of the matter concerning journalists.

From the outset, he rightly points out that while innovations in technology have increased the possibilities for communication and protections of free expression and opinion, technological changes have concurrently increased opportunities for State surveillance and interventions into individuals’ private communications.

In his report, Mr. La Rue recalls that CCPR General Comment No. 34 recommends that States parties respect the protection of privacy of the right of freedom of expression that embraces the limited journalistic privilege not to disclose information sources[1]. He further correctly stresses that without strong legal protections in place, journalists risk being subjected to arbitrary surveillance activities[2].

More warring is the fact that, in fact, journalists are also particularly vulnerable and could become target of communications surveillance because of their reliance on online communication[3] and here the problem is not only related to the right to privacy, but even to right to life. As documented also during the current civil war in the Arab Republic of Syria, technological means have been used to localize journalists in the field in order to target them and kill them.

In this context, Mr. La Rue, how do you think journalists and media workers in general could be better protected in accomplishing their duty in dangerous situations, like war or civil unrest?

***31.05.2013. PAKISTAN - one journalist killed in May - high environment of impunity in Pakistan

Israr Khan - PEC Repr. Islamabad

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) has expressed serious concern on the poor security of journalists and high environment of impunity in Pakistan and has asked the new government to thoroughly investigate journalists’ killing cases and take firm actions against the offenders and bring them to justice.

During the month of May 2013, a journalist was killed, others were threatened to deaths and some were physically attacked.

Interestingly, it is worth mentioning that these happening took place not in federally administered tribal area (FATA) or in Baluchistan where the writ of the government is not so strong, but in very settled areas including in the Punjab province and in Karachi, the capital city of Sindh province.

On May 24, a Pakistani journalist Mr. Ahmad Ali Joiya in Bahawalnagar district of Punjab province was killed by the unidentified miscreants. Mr. Joiya 25, had been working for local newspapers and magazines. On the day of this incident, when he was in a market of Bhangrana village, some unidentified men shot him and he died on the spot.

He was apparently targeted for helping police in investigation and exposing the criminals. According to police, Joiya had been working on a crime story, and owing to which he also got several threats from the criminal gang run by Maqbool alias Kooli Sassi in that area.

Police said Joiya had reported receiving death threats from Maqbool alias Kooli Sassi, a wanted criminal, for reporting on the latter’s gang. Police said they suspected Maqbool to have killed Joiya. Maqbool was wanted in more than 150 murder, robbery and kidnappings across Punjab.

Joiya had been writing about crime and narcotics control, particularly smuggling from India. His stories had helped the police in several cases and had been awarded a prize by the regional police in 2012. He is survived by a wife and two children.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) President, Pervaiz Shaukat while condemning the killing said, “Joiya was a brave journalist who was working on exposing criminals. He has been killed in the line of duty”. He also called on the law enforcement agencies to arrest the culprits immediately and bring them to justice.

As, May was the month of general polls in Pakistan, and after the polls held several journalists and senior television anchors were seriously threatened for speaking against the rigging and exposing the involvement of a political party workers.

Altaf Hussain, chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in Karachi in a telephonic address from London during a sit-in warned the media to quit playing games with the MQM and said, “If the MQM ran out of patience, then neither the anchors nor the owners of the media houses would find a place to hide.”

The threat came after the journalists and anchors successively exposed various rigging cases in the country’s general polls held on May 11.Earlier, he warned the media that if they did not mend their ways, somebody from his organization of millions of people might lose his cool. “If that person does something bad to one of you, don’t blame the MQM or Altaf Hussain,” he had said.

After these threats, a senior television anchor Absar Alam had had to publicly announce that his family would register a murder case against chairman of the MQM Altaf Hussain, if anything were happened to him. This public announcement comes after a direct threat by Altaf Hussain to him from London in a telephonic address to the participants of a sit-in organized by the MQM in port city of Karachi on Wednesday against re-polling in NA-250 constituency of the same city.

The PEC will side with the Pakistani journalists’ community for exposing the realities at a time when media have a crucial role for the consolidation of democracy. Pakistani political leaders must respect media, as it is an independent watchdog of democratic process.

In another incident, last night unidentified people attacked on the president of the Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ) Rana Muhammad Azeem and another senior journalist Ashraf Majeed in Lahore, capital of Punjab and home city of the incoming Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. At 10:00 pm at night, when both journalists were on way to home from office, some unknown people fired at them, however fortunately they survived and stayed un-harm. Mr. Azeem had been receiving threats for the last many months which he reported to police and PFUJ.

The PEC demanded of the government to take urgent steps to check the increasing trend of targeting of journalists by various elements and adopt stringent measures to enhance security of media persons.

***29.05.2013. PEC STATEMENT AT THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ON THE OCCASION OF THE URGENT DEBATE ON THE RECENT KILLINGS IN AL QUSAYR, delivered by the PEC Representative Gianfranco Fattorini

General AssemblyHuman Rights Council22nd session

Urgent debate on"The deteriorating situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic, and the recent killings in Al Qusayr"

Mr. President,

The PEC follows with grave concern the evolution of the civil war in the Syrian Arab Republic, notably concerning the access to the territory to media workers.

According to PEC figures, 49 media workers have lost their lives since the beginning of the clashes that followed the first public demonstrations, including Yara Abbas, a journalist of the Syrian TV, killed last Monday near Al Qusayr. As we pointed out in our interventions in previous sessions, some of them were killed by governmental troops and some by anti-governmental forces.

The PEC denounces also the practices of arresting or kidnapping media workers. Actually, five foreign journalists are still detained or kidnapped by one or another actor to the conflict, among them, 2 are from the USA, one from Germany, one from Italy and one is Palestinian.

Since the beginning of the clashes, more than two years ago, our organization called on the Syrian Government to provide international media workers with entry visa in order to have a variety of sources of information which is the only guarantee to get a reliable picture of the different aspects and events of what has become a civil war.

A civil war that does not see anymore only two opponents, rather a growing number of actors whose objectives are not always transparent and that are fighting, alternatively, against governmental troops and anti governmental forces.

In this context, the PEC wishes to draw to the attention of the Council on the urgent need for an international set of binding rules which could effectively combat impunity and provide media workers with some minimum safeguards in the accomplishment of their duty, particularly when a large number of non-state actors are involved in fighting. We wish here to pay a particular tribute to the two journalists from “Le Monde” who spent two months in Syria and brought to the public evidences of the use of chemical weapons.

The PEC renews its appeal to the Syrian Government for granting international media workers with professional entry visa.

I thank you for your attention.

29th May 2013

**23.05.2013.PEC says in Amman no return to handcuffs on media work in the Middle East

Amman-Jordan 18-22 May 2013 - The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) represented by its president Hedayat Abdel Nabi attended the second forum of the Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists (CDFJ) held between 18-19 May and the International Press Institute (IPI) World Congress 20-21 May in Amman, Jordan.

Abdel Nabi spoke in a panel organized by the CDFJ on strategies for defending Media Freedoms in the Arab World 2013-2015, where she stressed that no regime was toppled because of a talk show or a critical published article and hence no return to handcuffs on the media in the Middle East after the Arab Spring.

She advocated freedom of the media where the sky is the limit since media freedoms leads to self-corrections in the society.

Abdel Nabi added that the introduction of the Internet led to the shut down of many printed papers in the West, however it did not affect the publication of newspapers in the Middle East because political partisans have the feeling that they are stronger when their views are presented in a newspaper, this sense of ownership of a printed media allows them to believe that their influence on public opinion is vast and that the printed media can change the positions of the general public.

The meeting concluded by issuing the Amman Declaration establishing a Black List for the worst violators of freedom of opinion and expression in the Arab world whether it be countries or figures.

Before concluding its work the forum issued the first report of its kind, Freedom under Batons, prepared by the Network of Media Freedom Defenders in the Arab World (SANAD). The report registered 1690 media violations across the Arab countries in 2012.

Following the conclusion of the Forum, Nedal Mansour, Executive Director of CDFJ, launched a coalition of rights organizations from the Arab region to allow better connectivity between them.

Two countries were in core discussions of the sessions: Syria and Egypt. The discussions centered around strong supporters for the Syrian rebellion, while others vocally supported the Syrian regime. And again concerning Egypt the participants from the Egyptian opposition attacked the current regime led by President Morsi, while others from the floor regarded many of the remarks in this respect as overboard.

Opening the International Press Institute (IPI) World Congress on 20 May, Jordanian Prime Minister Dr. Abdullah Ensour said that journalists eyes are the world's eyes noting that Jordan is on a reform path which includes a vibrant media sector.

"We have put in place a national media strategy and are firmly committed to its implementation thus creating an environment that supports independent media," he added.

Ensour talking about the Press and Publications Law of Jordan said it is open to debate.

He noted that the press is too often the target of those who resist and obstruct change.

"Too many journalists have lost their lives in war and crisis zones," he stressed.

Alison Bethel Mckenzie, IPI Executive Director, said that the Middle East is a region where we see free media emerge from decades of police state rule.

Mckenzie concluded by saluting the courage of journalists throughout the Middle East who have documented change, momentous change and many of them have paid the ultimate price.

She asked all participants to pay tribute to media colleagues across the world who have lost their lives because of their job.

What was extremely gratifying for the PEC is honoring journalists killed in the Line of duty, McKenzie handed the World Press Freedom Hero to a colleague of American lead reporter Marie Colvin, and to a partner of japanese photojournalist Mika Yamamato, for their bravery and professionalism while covering the ongoing conflict in Syria as well as other conflicts before.

Marie Colvin and Mika Yamamoto were both among 39 journalists killed in 2012 while covering the Syrian conflict. Most of the journalists killed were local ones.

The IPI General Assembly voted on a resolution calling for Freedom of Movement of Journalists between Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.

***13.05.2013. TURKEY. In a written contribution, the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) calls again on the Human Rights Council’s attention to the situation of journalists’ rights, and the severe conditions Kurdish journalists have to face in their country. Almost three-quarter out of the more than 200 journalists imprisoned in Turkey are from the medias that criticize the governmental policy towards the Kurdish people.

Press Emblem Campaign calls on again the Human Rights Council’s attention to the situation of journalists’ rights, and the freedom of press and information in Turkey. Our organization already alerted the Council at its 21st and 22nd sessions[1], during the general debate on Agenda item 4, on the severe conditions Kurdish journalists have to face in their country. Almost three-quarter out of the more than 200 journalists imprisoned in Turkey are from the Medias that criticize the governmental policy towards the Kurdish people.

While last February the 15th Chamber of the Istanbul Appeal Court ordered the release of seven employees of Kurdish media, "given the time already spent in detention" and "the state of evidence", in 2012, seventeen cases were opened against Ibrahim Güvenç, the editor of the only Kurdish daily newspaper, Azadiya Welat. Mr. Güvenç had to resign from his post and is now threatened, like his predecessors, Mr. Vedat Kursun and Mr. Ozan Kilinç, with imprisonment for his coverage of the Kurdish question.

According to different sources, 72 journalists, including six chief-editors and co-owners are still in detention. Among them are at least 48 Kurdish journalists including 18 reporters from news agency DIHA, 13 journalists from Azadiya Welat eight of Özgür Gündem, two of Demokratik magazine Modernity and the news agency Firat. Freedom of expression and rights of journalists to freely investigate, report and criticize government policies are excessively restricted in Turkey.

It has to be highlighted here that from 1959 to 2011, out of 479 cases brought to the European court of human rights under freedom of expression, 207 originated from Turkey.

Despite the recent opening of negotiations between the Turkish government and representatives of the PKK, last April a trial was held in Silivri (80 km. west from Istanbul) against 44 Kurdish journalists, prosecuted for membership of an alleged “media committee” created by the outlawed Union of Communities in Kurdistan (KCK), a Kurdish non-governmental organization accused of backing the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK).

Surprisingly, after a short introduction of the President of the Court, the reading of the indictment (more than 800 pages) was made by a Turkish well-known television announcer. Finally, only two journalists (Zeynep Ceren Kuray of the Firat news agency and Sadik Topaloglu of the Diha news agency) were released. The Court will hold its next session of hearings from 17 to 19 June and will take decisions on other requests for provisional release. At the same time other arrest warrants have been issued against Kurdish journalists.

Mrs. Kuray criticized the court board for ordering the release of only two journalists, adding that, “KCK operations and trials are targeting not only Kurdish journalists but also Kurdish identity. Journalists working for the mainstream media can go to Kandil for interviews but we are standing trial for doing the same work. Namık Durukan (journalist working for Milliyet daily) has been awarded for his report on the so called Imrali Protocols, while we have been criminalized because of the similar reports we wrote”[2].

In this context it is interesting to note that the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), in adopting a resolution on 23rd April 2013, decided not to consider PKK as a terrorist organization. In the same resolution, PACE spells out the steps Turkey still needs to take if it is to successfully complete its reform program, such as further reform of the Constitution and continuing revision of the Criminal Code, as well as progress on freedom of expression, pre-trial detentions, local and regional decentralization and resolving the Kurdish question[3].

It is always fundamental to recall that the Commission on Human Rights, in its resolution 2003/42 on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, adopted without a vote,« mindful of the need to ensure that unjustified invocation of national security, including counter-terrorism, to restrict the right to freedom of expression and information does not take place », urged States « to refrain from using counter-terrorism as a pretext to restrict the right to freedom of expression in ways which are contrary to their obligations under international law. »

Mr. Martin Scheinin, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, in his report on the visit to Turkey[1] (16 to 23 February 2006), among other recommendations, already stressed «… that only full definitional clarity with regard to what acts constitute terrorist crimes can ensure that the crimes of membership, aiding and abetting and what certain authorities referred to as “crimes of opinion” are not abused for other purposes than fighting terrorism…»

The Human Rights Council, in adopting by consensus Resolution A/HRC/RES/21/12 on “Safety of journalists” acknowledged the particular role played by journalists in matters of public interest, including by raising awareness of human rights and recognized that the work of journalists often puts them at specific risk of intimidation, harassment and violence. At the same time, the Human Rights Council condemned in the strongest termall attacks and violence against journalists, such as arbitrary detention, as well as intimidation and harassment.

Recently, the Turkish Parliament discussed changes in the legislation known as the Fourth Legislative Package, but apparently the governmental proposal falls short to the expectations and the definition for the term "terrorist" needs a more clear-cut. On the other hand, in early March, the Constitutional Court granted the prime minister's office authority to order temporary media censorship in extraordinary circumstances and situations in which national security makes the ban a must. The law allows the Prime minister to stop news broadcasting on issues regarding national security such as war and terrorist attacks when it is strongly possible that the public order is to be seriously disrupted.

In light of the above elements, the Press Emblem Campaign calls on the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers to monitor the proceedings of the collective trial against the Kurdish journalists in Turkey and to report to Human Rights Council.

[1] E/CN.4/2006/98/Add.2[1] See also PEC written contribution A/HRC/22/NGO/90[2] http://en.firatnews.com/news/news/zeynep-kuray-kck-trials-target-kurdish-identity.htm[3]Doc. 13160 - Report of the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee)

***06.05.2013. MEXICO. PEC strongly condemns the murder of two children of journalists on Sunday in the city of Chihuahua

Gunmen executed the sons of two prominent Mexican journalists in the northern city of Chihuahua, a spokesman for the state attorney general's office said Sunday..

Brothers Alfredo Paramo, 20, and Diego Paramo, 21, were shot dead Saturday in Chihuahua after being chased through the streets by gunmen in a car, said spokesman Carlos Gonzalez.

They are the sons of well-known Mexican financial journalist David Paramo, who hosts a radio show, appears on TV Azteca and has a national newspaper column, and Martha Gonzalez, editor of the local El Peso newspaper.

PEC condemns these appalling murders and calls for a full investigation to clarify the circumstances and prosecute the authors.

On April 28, hundreds of journalists and human rights defenders staged marches in 14 Mexican states at the request of many NGOs to demand an end to the barbarity that targets them, and an end to impunity. The date chosen was the first anniversary of the murder of Regina Martínez, the newsweekly Proceso’s correspondent in the eastern state of Veracruz. Just four days before the marches, the dismembered body of Daniel Martínez Bazaldúa, a photographer for the newspaper Vanguardia, was found in the northern state of Coahuila. Another journalist, Gerardo Blanquet of the Radio Grande group, went missing in Coahuila on 30 April.

A law approved by the Mexican congress on 25 April, making it easier for crimes against freedom of information to be addressed by the federal authorities, is a step forward but is not enough.

***02.05.2013.On World Press Freedom Day, PEC honors the media workers killed in the line of duty (French and Arabic versions below) (for SYRIA see more on OTHER NEWS)

Geneva, May 2 (PEC) – On World Press Freedom Day, the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) honors all media workers killed in the line of duty because they were performing their profession.

According to the PEC figures the number of journalists killed from the beginning of 2013 stands at 39.

Pakistan leads the tally with 9 journalists killed in four months, followed by Somalia 5, Syria 4 and 4 in Brazil.

Two journalists were shot to death in Guatemala, 2 in Mexico and 2 in Paraguay. One journalist was killed in the following countries: Ecuador, Haiti, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Central African Republic, Russia, Tanzania and Yemen.

PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen noted that progress has been made last year when the UNESCO action plan was adopted, and a resolution on the safety of journalists was also adopted by the UN Human Rights Council.

He added that in a number of countries, killings and intimidation of journalists decreased and serious enquiries have been launched.

Lempen said that regrettably, the situation remains grim in other countries. Problems of access to zones of conflict and of impunity are major challenges.

Syria has been for two years a permanent dilemma for media across the globe where journalists take the risks to go in order to witness the massive human sufferings, thus endangering their lives, or they cover from the borders and give up on informing directly the general public.

At least 4 brave foreign journalists are missing in Syria and the worst is feared. PEC calls for their immediate release if they have faced the fate of abduction.

The situation has dramatically deteriorated in Pakistan from one year to the other ahead of the general polls.

In Latin America the situation is very worrying for journalists in countries like Brazil, Cuba, Mexico, Paraguay, Ecuador, Guatemala and Honduras.

PEC President Hedayat Abdelnabi, said there is still no concrete and efficient action by the international community though many members of which have lost journalists in conflict zones.

Shehopes that the forthcoming report prepared by the UN Office for Human Rights (OHCHR) for the September session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva will establish best practices and that the international community will be able to work on this basis to move forward on the issue of the protection of journalists.

According to the PEC tally, 2012 was a record year for journalists killed: 141 for the whole year.

(PEC/Agencies) An Italian journalist has been missing in Syria for 20 days, his newspaper La Stampa says.Domenico Quirico, 62, an experienced war reporter, entered Syria on 6 April.

The Turin newspaper's website on Tuesday said Domenico Quirico, an experienced war reporter, entered Syria on April 6 from Lebanon. La Stampa said it has been working with the Italian Foreign Ministry in an effort to find him, but so far with no results. Quirico planned to report on the Homs area. His last contact was a text message sent on April 9 to an Italian colleague from state TV, saying he was on the road to Homs.

Earlier this month, four Italian journalists were released after being detained in rebel-controlled northern Syria for about 10 days.

The conflict in Syria has made it one of the most dangerous places for journalists to work in.

La Stampa's editor-in-chief, Mario Calabresi, said the Turin-based paper decided to publicise Mr Quirico's disappearance after a search for the correspondent failed to turn up any leads.

"We had hoped that keeping quiet would help bring about a solution," said Mr Calabresi.

"Unfortunately this has not been the case, and for that reason we have decided to make his disappearance public."

The Italian foreign ministry has activated its crisis unit to try to trace Mr Quirico.

The journalist has reported on conflicts in Sudan, Uganda and Libya.

At least three other foreign journalists, including two Americans, are still missing in Syria.

***29.04.2013. PAKISTAN. PEC worried by the death of a ninth journalist since January ahead of general polls

ISLAMABAD: The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) while condemning the killing of a Pakistani journalist Mr. Arif Shafi in a terrorists’ attack in Pakistan’s Northwestern city of Peshawar has expressed serious concern on the journalists’ poor safety in the country ahead of general polls scheduled on May 11.

In a motorbike blast on the busy University Road, at least 10 people including two afghan diplomats and the journalist killed while five dozens others sustained injuries on Monday morning.

Arif Shafi, 35 hailing from Peshawar had been working on the English desk of the Afghan news agency ‘Pajhwok’ as assistant editor in Afghanistan capital Kabul for last several years. He was on leave and was to return in a few days to resume his duty.

On April 29 in the morning, after dropping his son at school on 29 April, he was on his way to city cantonment area and as he stopped at University road to buy a newspaper from a stall in the meantime the incident occurred that took his life. He had three children including two daughters Maleeha (8), Yusra (3) and son Khizar (5).

Besides, Ayesha Ali, daughter of another Peshawar based journalist Gohar Ali and student of eleven-grade at a local college was among the injured, but now her condition is stable.

“As general polls are round the corner and scheduled to be held on 11th of May, in a situation when suicidal attacks on the political rallies are on the rise, in such a situation the government should take appropriate measures to provide security to journalists while covering these political activities” the PEC demanded.

It is worth mentioning that this is the second journalist the provincial capital lost in last two-week time. Earlier on April 16, a journalist Tariq Aslam Durrani also lost his life in a suicide bomb attack on a political party rally in Peshawar.

In a statement, Peshawar Press Club (PCC) president Nasir Hussain and General Secretary Yousaf Ali condemned the attack and said that government fail to protect the life of journalist, adding that in Pakistan eight journalists were killed this year in which three journalist were from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA). They demanded of the government to provide security to the journalist and also announced Shaheed Package for the bereaved family of the journalist.

This was the 17th journalist from KP and FATA who fall victim to the ongoing wave of terrorism in the country.

A top police officer told the PEC that about five kilogram of explosives was used in this attack and which was planted on the back seat of the bike. The suicide bomber struck his motorbike into a police van, the moments after Police Commissioner Sahibzada Mohammad Anis drove past the road.

On the PEC ticking clock, this is the ninth Pakistani journalist killed since Jan 2013. This has jacked up the total casualties of journalists round the globe to 39.

Israr Khan, PEC Representative in Islamabad

***26.04.2013. PARAGUAY. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) is worried by the second murder of a journalist in the north-east of Paraguay this year - an alarming trend

The PEC joins the Journalists' Union of Paraguay (Sindicato de Periodistas del Paraguay, SPP) who condemns the murder of journalist Carlos Artaza (photo), in Pedro Juan Caballero. Artaza worked for the press department in the Amambay governor's office and was targeted in a premeditated attack during which he was shot six times. On the morning of 25 April 2013 he was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

26 April is the national Day of the Journalist, commemorating the 1991 murder of journalist Santiago Leguizamón. SPP is saddened that on the eve of this day another journalist has been killed. The organisation offers its condolences to Artaza's family and calls for a rigorous investigation and exemplary punishment for those responsible for this terrible killing.

Artaza participated in a political event on the night of 24 April and when he returned home, was attacked by people driving a motorcycle.

This incident is the latest in a line of incidents, most recently the repeated death threats against journalist Aníbal Gómez Caballero. Cándido Figueredo, an ABC Color correspondent in Pedro Juan Caballero, has also received threats recently.

SPP calls on the local authorities to put more emphasis on the safety of journalists, with the aim of protecting them, especially in regions where there is unrest such as in towns near the border.

The organisation pledges that, for the sake of Artaza's wife and children, they will not let his murder go unpunished. To do this, SPP will take the necessary steps to punish those who are spreading this message of violence against journalists and the general population. SPP calls for an end to impunity and for justice for Carlos Artaza.

Carlos Artaza is the second journalist to be killed this year in Pedro Juan Caballero, a city on the Brazilian border that is the capital of Amambay department, following radio station owner and manager Marcelino Vazquez February 6.Threats marked the campaign for the 21 April general election.

According to the PEC Ticking clock, 12 journalists were killed in Latin America since January this year, 5 only in April, an alarming trend.

***17.04.2013. PAKISTAN. THE PRESS EMBLEM CAMPAIGN (PEC) CONDEMNED THE SUICIDE BOMB ATTACK IN PESHAWAR WHICH KILLED A PAKISTANI JOURNALIST AND INJURED TWO OTHERS

PAKISTAN: The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), which is fighting for the protection of journalists has strongly condemned the suicide bomb attack on a political party rally in Pakistan’s Northwestern city of Peshawar in which among others, a Pakistani print journalist was killed and two other media persons sustained injuries.

The incident took place on April 16 late evening in Yakatoot, a crowded neighbor of Peshawar city soon after the party senior leader Ghulam Ahmed Bilour came to the gathering, however he escaped. In this happening, two children, and six police officials among 16 people killed and dozen more including women and children were injured.

Mr. Tariq Aslam Durrani(photo), 46 a sub-editor with Urdu language ‘the Daily Pakistan’ was killed while covering the rally of the Awami National Party (ANP) along with other media persons. Besides, a news editor of the same newspaper Mr. Azhar Ali Shah and Mr. Ehtisham Khan a reporter with the Express television sustained injuries who were shifted to hospital, however they are out of danger now, doctors said.

The deceased has left four kids, a widow and was living in rented house, his close relatives told the PEC.

Amid the country is preparing to hold general polls on May 11, this is the fourth deadly attack on politicians or political parties in last three days which is much alarming.

In such a situation, doing journalism is becoming much difficult not only in terrorists hit tribal areas of Pakistan, but even in major urban centers.

Latter, the spokesman of the outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Ehsanullah Ehsan while talking to a private television channel on phone claimed the responsibility of the blast.

It is worth mentioning that according to the PEC record, during Jan-March 2013, Pakistan remained the most ‘dangerous country’ for journalists to do journalism. During this period seven journalists were been killed with impunity followed by Syria with four journalists’ casualties and Somalia and Brazil with three each.

This quarterly report for 2013, number of journalists killed in the first three months of the year clocked at 28 in 15 countries, has gone down to near 10 percent as compared with the same period last year, however the situation still grim in most parts of the world.

During April 2012, so far three journalists have been killed including Mr. Durrani of Pakistan. This has led the total number on the PEC ticking clock to 31. Earlier this month, one each journalist was killed in Guatemala and Russia.

ISRAR KHANPEC representative in Pakistan

***08.04.2013. THE PRESS EMBLEM CAMPAIGN (PEC) CONDEMNS EFFORT TO SILENCE NEWS COVERAGE IN SYRIA BY A SYRIAN BUSINESSMAN AND DETENTION OF FOUR ITALIAN JOURNALISTS BY A REBEL GROUP

(Agencies/PEC) A Kuwait-based Syrian businessman has announced a monetaryreward for any individuals who capture and turn over to security forces journalists affiliated with the pan-Arab channels Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya, according to news reports. In a phone interview with Syrian state television on March 30, the pro-regime businessman Fahim Saqr accused international journalists of misleading the Syrian and Arab people and said he would offer 10 million Syrian liras (about US$95,000) to anyone who helped journalists from Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya get arrested, news reports said.

News accounts reported that Syrian rebels have also begun to demand that international journalists working in the country use translators and drivers provided by the rebels themselves. Local journalists said they have noticed increased attempts by the opposition to restrict unflattering coverage.

Al-Jazeera issued a statement (read below) in which it reported receiving increased threats in recent weeks, and filed a complaint to the Kuwaiti General Prosecutor's office accusing Saqr of "threatening and inciting against Al-Jazeera correspondents in Syria". Faisal Qenaei, secretary general of the Kuwaiti Journalists Association, expressed solidarity with Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya correspondents in Syria and urged Kuwaiti authorities to launch an investigation against the Syrian businessman.

Al Jazeera Media Network denounces the threats made recently by some Syrian regime supporters against presenters and correspondents of Al Jazeera Channel and other Arab channels.

Threats levied against Al Jazeera staff on social media and other outlets in recent weeks were made to put pressure on the network to change its professional editorial line with regards to the conflict in Syria and other regions of conflicts. “Al Jazeera prides itself on honest and objective reporting, people who feel Al Jazeera does not reflect their point of view have no basis for any argument when they use threats of intimidation and violence through social media portals like Facebook and Twitter,” said Ibrahim Helal, Director of News for Al Jazeera Arabic.

“The fact that our staff have been targeted with messages of hate has no place in any plural society,” said Helal.

In the wake of recent incitement against its staff members, Al Jazeera Media Network emphasises that it has already initiated a legal case against those who made these threats. Furthermore, it will not save any efforts seeking all legitimate actions, regardless of the status of sources of threat, in order to protect its journalists, and correspondents, and employees.

Al Jazeera Media Network has stressed out that it stands behind all its employees in such confrontation to their personal and ethical wellbeing to these kinds of threats.

April 5. Four Italian journalists have been kidnapped in the north of Syria, on the border with Turkey, the Italian Foreign Ministry confirmed late Friday.

The foreign ministry confirmed the report “indicating that it has followed the developments from the very beginning,” according to the ANSA news agency. It also called for “maximum discretion,” stressing that “the physical safety of the hostages remains the absolute priority.”

According to various reports, the abducted are three freelance journalists Andrea Vignali, Elio Colavolpe and Susan Dabbous and one reporter working for the Italian public broadcaster RAI Amedeo Ricucci.

The newspaper said the journalists were kidnapped “by a rebel group” while out filming.

In February, an Italian citizen and two Russians kidnapped on December 12 in the west of Syria were freed as part of an exchange for militants.

Geneva, April 3 (PEC) – According to the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) quarterly report for 2013 published Wednesday the number of journalists killed in the first three months of the year, 28 in 15 countries, has gone down to near 10 percent as compared with the same period last year.

Pakistan leads the tally with 7 journalists killed in three months, followed by Syria 4 killed, Somalia 3 killed and three in Brazil.

The difference between 2012 and 2013 is that in Syria 5 journalists less were killed in 2013.

PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen noted that unfortunately this improved statistics does not reflect a better security situation in the field for the media, but could be traced to less journalists taking the risk to go to Syria to witness the ongoing violence. Lempen adds that Syria is in agony in a massive indifference.

The latest from Syria is that Jörg Armbruster, a correspondent for the German public broadcaster ARD, was seriously injured by gunfire during a military clash in Aleppo on March 29, 2013. After emergency surgery inside Syria on the same day, Armbruster was transferred by ambulance to Turkey, where he was treated by an emergency medical team, he was evacuated to Stuttgart on Monday April 1.

The situation in Pakistan has deteriorated from one year to the other. Three of the killed journalists lost their lives in a bomb attack in Baluchistan and the others were targeted in the tribal zones where they are particularly threatened by secessionist groups and extreme militants.

The situation remained dangerous in Somalia and Brazil. They still are in the group of the four most dangerous countries for media work as they were last year.

PEC President Hedayat Abdelnabi, said that though this decrease is welcome yet a lot has to be done. The PEC reiterates its call to UN member states to start the process of negotiations on new binding guidelines to protect journalists in conflict zones and dangerous situations. Last year, journalists were killed in a record number, 141 for the whole year.

An appellate court judge in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, on Monday upheld the criminal conviction of an editor who is serving a one-year prison sentence in connection with an opinion column, according to local journalists. A judge presiding in the Gasabo Intermediate Court said Stanley Gatera, (photo) editor of Kinyarwanda-language independent weekly Umusingi, should be held accountable for a June 2012 opinion piece that suggested that men might regret marrying an ethnic Tutsi woman solely for her beauty, according to local journalists.

Police arrested Gatera, 22, in August 2012 after they said they received complaints from Tutsi women's groups. In November 2012, a lower court convicted Gatera on charges of "inciting divisionism" and "gender discrimination." The author of the piece fled the country amid the controversy and was never charged.

Gatera's defense argued that the journalist should not be punished for a column he did not write, local journalists said. The defense also noted the journalist had published an apology in the following issue. It was not immediately clear whether Gatera's defense team will pursue its appeal to the Supreme Court, local journalists said. "This opinion piece might have offended readers, but that should not constitute a criminal offense," . "This ruling sends the message that Rwandan journalists must censor opinions if they want to stay out of jail."

Authorities have routinely targeted Umusingi and its journalists in recent years. In early 2011, the country's sole printing house, which is government owned, refused to print an edition of the paper that carried an interview with a dissident former Rwandan colonel, according to news reports. The paper's founder and former managing director Nelson Gatsimbazi, fled the country in August 2011 after being told of his impending arrest on charges of divisionism based on a complaint filed by another journalist in 2008. In December 2010, the presidential security advisor publicly accused Gatsimbazi of working with "enemies of the state," according to news reports.

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemns targeting journalists in Rwanda and calls for the immediate release of the journalist.

***19.03.2013. PEC statement delivered by the PEC UN Representative Gianfranco Fattorini at the Human Rights Council - Press Emblem Campaign said there were places in all regions of the world where journalists were confronted in a vicious climate created by States that ultimately led to the killing of journalists and the establishment of a culture of impunity. Promoting the safety of journalists and fighting impunity must not be constrained to after-the-fact, but required prevention mechanisms to address the root causes of violence.

General AssemblyHuman Rights Council22nd session

Item 8 - Follow-up and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action

General debate

Mr. President,

In adopting the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action[1], the international community as a whole and every single State made the pledge to guarantee freedom and protection for the media. In adopting Resolution A/HRC/RES/21/12 last September, this very Council condemned in the strongest term all attacks and violence against journalists, such as torture, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and arbitrary detention, as well as intimidation and harassment.

Nevertheless, too many States act inconsistently with the international commitments. Besides the particular cases of Syria, Turkey and Palestine/Israel, about which we talked respectively during the interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab republic and the general debates on item 4 and 7, there are places, in all regions of the world, where journalists are confronted to a vicious climate created by the State’s authority that can ultimately lead to the killing of journalists and the establishment of a culture of impunity.

In our written contribution, published under symbol NGO/57, we highlight the very detrimental practices employed in Chile, Guatemala, Uganda, Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan, Libya, Lebanon, Nepal, Thailand and in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Unfortunately, the list is not exhaustive and we could also mention the case of Togo where, last week, the authorities violently dispersed a peaceful demonstration of the media workers against a new law which gives the power to a simple administrative authority[2] to suspend or even withdraw the license to a media without any possibility of appeal to the courts.

Mindful that promoting the safety of journalists and fighting impunity must not be constrained to after-the-fact action but requires prevention mechanisms to address some of the root causes of violence against journalists and of impunity, the Press Emblem Campaign is still convinced of the necessity to set up an international mechanism of inquiry to investigate crimes of attacks against journalists and bring the perpetrators to justice.

***18.03.2013. PEC statement delivered at the Human Rights Council on Palestine. The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) is deeply concerned about the difficulties Palestinian journalists have to face in carrying out their duty

The PEC is deeply concerned about the difficulties Palestinian journalists have to face in carrying out their duty. While the Israeli Occupation Forces pursue a repressive policy to prevent journalists from covering the events in different areas of the West Bank, the Hamas Internal Security Services (ISS) in Gaza, sometimes summon and arrest journalists.

In his Mission report presented at the 20th session of the Human Rights Council[1], the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of opinion and expression, Mr. La Rue, underlined that despite the provisions of articles 19 and 27 of the Palestinian Basic Law, providing freedom of opinion and expression and media freedom, provisions in the Press and Publications Law of 1995 unduly restrict the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

The PEC believes that there is a need for the enactment of a new Access to Information Law in Palestine as journalists have routinely faced great difficulties in accessing the necessary information so as to undertake their work adequately and efficiently.

Mr. La Rue highlighted that the work of journalists in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is particularly hindered by the restrictions to movement, as documenting and collecting information is central to their work. He further stated that local journalists in the occupied Palestinian territory face difficulties in undertaking their work due to arbitrary arrests and detention, physical attacks and raids of their offices by the security personnel of both Israel and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and the de facto authorities in Gaza.

In light of the essential role journalists play in providing independent information to the public, the PEC calls on the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territories Occupied since 1967 to dedicate a chapter of his annual report to the violations of the fundamental freedoms and rights of the media workers in the OPT.

***14.03.2013. PEC statement delivered at the Human Rights Council on the Universal periodic review of Switzerland(en français ci-dessous)

General AssemblyHuman Rights Council22nd session

Item 6 - Universal Periodic Review

Switzerland

Mr. President,

The PEC wishes to address the issue of the particular moral responsibility of Switzerland, as Depositary State of the Geneva Conventions, in ensuring respect for humanitarian law and in playing a proactive role in this regard. This responsibility goes beyond the obligation enshrined in Article I of the Conventions.

We are currently witnessing in Syria, but also in other contexts of violence, massive and almost daily violations of the Geneva Conventions.

The Press Emblem Campaign was created to strengthen the protection of journalists in conflict zones. In principle, journalists are protected by the Geneva Conventions as all other civilians and it is forbidden to attempt on their lives. But we note however that this obligation, which applies to all signatories of the Conventions, has repeatedly not been observed in recent years. Last year, a record number of 141 journalists have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.

The PEC calls upon Switzerland, as Depositary State of the Geneva Conventions and Host Country of the Movement for the Red Cross and the Red Crescent, as well as of the Human Rights Council, to consult the High Contracting Parties before the submission of its next periodic report to the Council. The purpose of this consultation would be to identify means to strengthen the protection of journalists and media workers in conflict zones through concrete and effective mechanisms complementing the general provisions of the Geneva Conventions.

The presence on the field of independent witnesses is indispensable for documenting violations of humanitarian law, human rights as well as war crimes and crimes against humanity, so as to denounce and stop those heinous crimes.

***12.03.2013. PEC statement delivered at the Human Rights Council on detention of journalists in Turkey

General AssemblyHuman Rights Council22nd session

Item 4 - Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention

General debate

Mr. President,

The PEC in referring to its written contribution published under symbol NGO/90, draws the attention of the Council on the severe restrictions on freedom of expression and the extremely difficult conditions in which some journalists can carry out their mission in Turkey, particularly those of Kurdish origin. According to all the professional organizations, Turkey has one of the largest numbers of journalists imprisoned (49) while more than one hundred are detained awaiting months for their trial; to which one can also add dozen of bloggers.

The persecution of journalists in Turkey began with the adoption of the Anti-terror law in 2005, which criminalizes the propaganda in the name of terrorist organizations; without defining the term of propaganda. The law was amended last year after it was subject to severe criticism at international level, but despite the reform, no significant changes have been observed in the practice.

In the month of January 2013, eleven journalists were imprisoned on charges of belonging to the banned Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C). Evidences presented in court were not disclosed to their lawyers. Six members of PEN Turkey, a writers’ association, are currently being investigated for “insulting the state”[1].

The PEC welcomes the recent presentation by Prime Minister Erdogan of a reform of the Penal Code aiming at reducing the definition of “terrorist propaganda” and encourages the Turkish Parliament to adopt it in the speediest possible way.

Mr. President,

The Press Emblem Campaign calls on the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers to monitor the proceedings of the collective trial against the Kurdish journalists in Turkey and to report to Human Rights Council.

***11.03.2013. SYRIA. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL 22nd session. Debate on the report of the independent international commission of inquiry. PEC statement delivered by the PEC UN Representative Gianfranco Fattorini

General AssemblyHuman Rights Council22nd session

Item 4 - Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention

Report of the Independent international commission of inquiry on the situation in theSyrian Arab Republic (A/HRC/22/59)

Mr. President,

First of all, we thank the Commission of Inquiry for dedicating a section of Annex XII to the violence against media workers. We wish to inform the Council that in 2012, 37 professional media workers were killed in the Syrian Arab Republic, while dozens of civilians providing information to the public, mainly through electronic means, have lost their lives. In 2013, as of today, 4 professional media workers have been killed. According to the Media Freedom Committee of the Syrian Journalists Association, a total of 29 professional and non-professional media workers have been killed in 2013.

As the Commission of Inquiry has stressed in its report, journalists have been treated as military objectives by both sides to the conflict and viewed in terms of strategic gain. Besides the killed ones, journalists are also kidnapped or arbitrarily detained either by the Governmental forces or the civilian militias. Today, at least 4 foreign journalists are arbitrarily detained or are missing: journalists have the duty to inform and denounce all human rights violations, particularly when they could constitute crimes of war or crimes against humanity. In the absence of any images of those atrocities it is very difficult to mobilize the public opinion in order to stop the massacres.

We wish to draw the Council’s attention to the case of Mazen Darwish, Director of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression, who was arrested in February 2012. Darwish and his two colleagues Hani Zitani and Hussein Al Ghurair are still held in arbitrary detention. According to recent findings, they were transferred to Adra central prison near the capital Damascus.

Mr. President,

In the report it is rightly said that “Under international humanitarian law, attacks against journalists are prohibited. Journalists exercising their professional activities in relation to an armed conflict must be protected” and that “Investigations are on-going as to the deliberate targeting of journalists by Government forces and by anti-Government armed groups.”: could we know who is investigating? Could we be informed on the measures taken by the various parties to the conflict to protect media workers and to ensure that perpetrators are prosecuted and convicted? Which judicial procedure could be used in order to effectively insure that perpetrators are prosecuted and convicted?

I thank you for your attention.

11th March 2013

***08.03.2013. PAKISTAN.PEC appreciates and supports ‘the International Friends of Media Alliance on Safety’ and UN action Plan in Pakistan

PEC Representative in Pakistan and reporter Israr Khan (right), here in discussion with Abdul Basit, M&E Officer of Intermedia, took part in the two-day international conference in Islamabad (photo pec)

ISLAMABAD (8 March 2013) - The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) while fully endorsing the outcomes of the two-day international media conference in Islamabad, appreciated the effort of forming an ‘alliance’ by more than a dozen international media development and support organizations including itself to coordinate their efforts on media safety and protection in Pakistan. It also strongly resolved to do all our efforts for the protection and safety of journalists in Pakistan which is one of the most dangerous countries on the globe for journalists.

The United Nations Action Plan Against Impunity in Pakistan was also launched, which seeks to support efforts to promote security and safety of journalists in the country. Pakistan is one of five pilot countries of the UN Action Plan with the objective of building the country’s capacity to deal with safety of journalists.

PEC is also one of its major advocators with the hope that it will definitely have an impact on the Pakistani society, political parties and governments in ending impunity against journalists.

The organizations who established ‘the International Friends of Media Alliance on Safety’ at the end of the two-day international conference comprised of Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Media Legal Defence Initiative (MLDI), Article IX, International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Freedom House (FH), International News Safety Institute (INSI), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), International Media Support (IMS), UNESCO, International Press Institute (IPI), Internews Network, International Federation of Freedom of Expression (IFEX), Amnesty International (AI), World Association of Newspapers (WAN-IFRA), Fojo Institute and Press Emblem Campaign (PEC).

The PEC which participated in this conference has also pledged for playing its vibrant role to support this international Alliance and the UN action plan to promote security and safety of journalists in Pakistan.

Guy Berger, the Head of the Freedom of Expression Division at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris launched the UN Action Plan elaborated by Director UNESCO-Pakistan Kozue Kay Nagata. The Action Plan will serve to support existing efforts to promote actions against impunity in Pakistan by facilitating coordination and collaborative actions by various national and international media support and defence groups.

The conference also resulted in launching the ‘Pakistan Coalition of Media on Safety (PCOMS)’, an alliance of media stakeholders in the country seeking to promote a unified agenda of safety for journalists, media workers and media establishments in the country to take advantage of global UN plan against impunity in Pakistan. Key associations representing media workers, managers and owners, as well as media development groups will be members of the Coalition.

The PCOMS will develop a “National Charter on Media Safety”, adopting the outcomes of the national consultation conducted by UNESCO and national conference on impunity against journalists conducted by Intermedia Pakistan – both in November 2012 – to outline priorities, collaborative and individual actions, develop resources, tools and mechanisms, to promote a unified agenda of safety and security of journalists, media workers and media establishments of Pakistan.

Head of Asia Programs of IMS Lars Bestle said while the state of impunity against journalists in Pakistan is high, it is also significant that there exist wide support within the media, government, political parties and civil society in the country representing a consensus that can deliver dividends by way of collaborative responses to threats.

Head of Media Program for Open Society Foundation Asad Baig said that coordination among media defence groups can help improve the response to threats and reduce the framework of risks that exist.

Executive Director Intermedia Pakistan Adnan Rehmat said democracy is not safe when journalists are unsafe, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to strengthen media defence strategies. He also said that we will also take the cases of journalists to the court of law and follow them to get justice. We also demand of the government for the appointment of a special prosecutor who will follow and investigate the attacks and killing of journalists.

UN Action Plan on Impunity Against Journalists and international alliance of media groups launched to reduce threats to journalists in Pakistan

PRESS RELEASE

ISLAMABAD (March 7, 2013): A two-day international conference concluded in Islamabad on Thursday launching the United Nations Action Plan Against Impunity, in Pakistan, which seeks to support efforts to promote security and safety of journalists in the country. Pakistan is one of five pilot countries of the UN Action Plan Against Impunity.

The UN Action Plan was launched by Guy Berger, the Head of the Freedom of Expression Division at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris and elaborated by Director UNESCO-Pakistan Kozue Kay Nagata. The Action Plan will serve to support existing efforts to promote actions against impunity against journalists in Pakistan by facilitating coordination and collaborative actions by various national and international media support and defence groups.

The conference highlighted and raised awareness about the UN Action Plan Against Impunity in five pilot countries, including Pakistan, with the objective of building the country’s capacity to deal with safety of journalists.

The international conference was conducted by Intermedia Pakistan, a national media support and development group – with support from Open Society Foundation-Pakistan (OSF), International Media Support (IMS) and United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Significantly, the conference resulted in setting up of the Pakistan Coalition of Media on Safety (PCOMS), an alliance of media stakeholders in the country seeking to promote a unified agenda of safety for journalists, media workers and media establishments in the country. Key associations representing media workers, managers and owners, as well as media development groups will be members of the Coalition.

The conference also resulted in the establishment of the International Friends of Media Alliance on Safety, a group of over a dozen international media development and support organizations aiming to coordinate their efforts on media safety in Pakistan. The Alliance includes Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Media Legal Defence Initiative (MLDI), Article IX, International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Freedom House (FH), International News Safety Institute (INSI), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), International Media Support (IMS), UNESCO, International Press Institute (IPI), Internews Network, International Federation of Freedom of Expression (IFEX), Amnesty International (AI), World Association of Newspapers (WAN-IFRA), Fojo Institute, Press Emblem Campaign (PEC).

Head of Asia Programs of IMS Lars Bestle said while the state of impunity against journalists in Pakistan is high, it is also significant that there exist wide support within the media, government, political parties and civil society in the country representing a consensus that can deliver dividends by way of collaborative responses to threats.

Head of Media Program for Open Society Foundation Asad Baig said that coordination among media defence groups can help improve the response to threats and reduce the framework of risks that exist.

Executive Director Intermedia Pakistan Adnan Rehmat said democracy is not safe when journalists are unsafe, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to strengthen media defence strategies.

The conference was extended support by the Government of Pakistan, key political parties including Pakistan People’s Party, Pakistan Muslim League-N, Pakistan Muslim League-Q, Awami National Party, Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf.

The conference brought together all key stakeholders from within Pakistan and key international media defence groups to discuss ways of combating the violence against media and journalists in the country and what best lessons from the world Pakistan can partly adopt.

The conference noted with concern that over 90 journalists have been killed in Pakistan since 2000 and at least 70 journalists in the last five years alone and hundreds attacked, injured, kidnapped, arrested and intimidated in a variety of ways. From 2007 to 2013 the average of journalists killed every year is 13 – one every 28 days. There has been no prosecution and conviction of any attacker – the prevalence of impunity is huge. Despite recent efforts by a variety of actors to combat this trend, the scale of impunity hasn’t been dented.

The international conference extended support to local efforts to raise the public profile of impunity against journalists by bringing together all key stakeholders from within Pakistan and key international media defence groups to discuss ways of combating the violence against media and journalists in the country and what best lessons from the world Pakistan can adopt.

PAKISTAN COALITION ON MEDIA SAFETY (PCOMS)

Declaration by Media Stakeholders on Combating Impunity

International Conference on Safety & Security of Pakistani Journalists

Islamabad, March 7, 2013

The “International Conference on Safety and Security of Pakistani Journalists: Promoting Collaborative Approaches to Combat Impunity”, held in Islamabad on March 6-7, 2013 by Intermedia Pakistan with support of International Media Support (IMS), Open Society Foundations (OSF) and UNESCO, attended by representatives of leading national and international media houses, associations, platforms and media development organizations, and which expressed solidarity with the Pakistani media on the issue of impunity against Pakistani journalists, declared the following:

1. The level of threats facing Pakistani media and its practitioners is unacceptable that have, according to Intermedia Pakistan and Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, killed over 90 journalists since 2000 and resulted in injuries, assaults, arrests, kidnapping and other forms of serious intimidation faced by over 2,000 journalists in the same period.

2. Urgent and extraordinary measures need to be coordinated, endorsed and adopted by all stakeholders of the media sector in Pakistan, including media owners, managers, practitioners and workers, as well as the other various stakeholders of the media stakeholders, to reduce the range of threats that journalists, media workers and media establishments in Pakistan face.

3. The “Pakistan Coalition on Media Safety” (PCOMS) is set up, in pursuance of the Declaration of the National Conference on Impunity Against Journalists held on November 8, 2012, that recommended setting up of such an alliance, to serve as a platform for key stakeholders of the media sector in Pakistan to promote collaborative approaches, mechanisms and actions aimed at reducing risks, threats and attacks against the media and promoting safety and security of journalists, media workers and media establishments in the country.

4. “Pakistan Coalition on Media Safety” (PCOMS) welcomes and supports the UN Action Plan Against Impunity and its focus on Pakistan as one of the pilot countries of the Plan – and seeks to both benefit and contribute to it in the interests of safety and security of journalists, media workers and media establishments in Pakistan.

5. A ‘Working Group’ was set up to approach key media stakeholders in Pakistan to create a Steering Committee for the “Pakistan Coalition on Media Safety” (PCOMS) that can take ownership of the Coalition. The conference proposed Hamid Mir, Adnan Rehmat, Owais Aslam Ali, Iqbal Khattak and Mazhar Abbas as members of the Working Group.

6. The “Pakistan Coalition on Media Safety” will develop a “National Charter on Media Safety”, adopting the outcomes of the national consultation conducted by UNESCO and national conference on impunity against journalists conducted by Intermedia Pakistan – both in November 2012 – to outline priorities, collaborative and individual actions, develop resources, tools and mechanisms, to promote a unified agenda of safety and security of journalists, media workers and media establishments of Pakistan.

7. The “Pakistan Coalition on Media Safety” welcomes the establishment of the “International Friends of Pakistan Media Alliance on Safety”, and seeks to interact with it in the interest of pushing forward an agenda of safety of journalists, media workers and media establishments in the country.

8. The “Pakistan Coalition on Media Safety” will seek to promote membership by all key stakeholders of the media sector in Pakistan to lend support to the cause of promoting safety and security of journalists, media workers and media establishments in Pakistan.

9. The “Pakistan Coalition on Media Safety” will seek to establish networking, partnerships and collaborations with the international media community, including media development and support organizations, on the issue of promoting safety and security of journalists, media workers and media establishments in Pakistan.

10. The “Pakistan Coalition on Media Safety” will develop a “Roadmap of Safety and Security” that outline a series of prioritised actions aimed at promoting safety and security of journalists, media workers and media establishments in Pakistan.

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDS OF PAKISTAN MEDIA ALLIANCE ON SAFETY

Declaration by International Media Groups on Combating Impunity Against Journalists in Pakistan

International Conference on Safety & Security of Pakistani Journalists Islamabad, March 7, 2013

The “International Conference on Safety and Security of Pakistani Journalists: Promoting Collaborative Approaches to Combat Impunity”, held in Islamabad on March 6-7, 2013 by Intermedia Pakistan with support of International Media Support (IMS), Open Society Foundations (OSF) and UNESCO, attended by representatives of leading national and international media houses, associations, platforms and media development organizations, and which expressed solidarity with the Pakistani media on the issue of impunity against Pakistani journalists, declared the following:

1. A free media and open communications policies are central to promoting a democratic Pakistan.

2. The level of threats facing Pakistani media and its practitioners is unacceptable that have, according to Intermedia Pakistan and Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, killed over 90 journalists since 2000 and have resulted in injuries, assaults, arrests, kidnapping and other forms of serious intimidation faced by over 2,000 journalists in the same period.

3. Urgent and extraordinary measures need to be coordinated, endorsed and adopted by all stakeholders of the media sector in Pakistan, including support to these measures by their international counterparts, to reduce the range of threats that journalists, media workers and media establishments in Pakistan face.

4. An “International Friends of Pakistan Media Alliance on Safety” is hereby set up to serve as a platform for international media support and development actors to promote collaborative approaches, mechanisms and actions aimed at reducing risks, threats and attacks against the media and promoting safety and security of journalists, media workers and media establishments in Pakistan.

5. The “International Friends of Pakistan Media Alliance on Safety” welcomes and supports the UN Action Plan Against Impunity and its focus on Pakistan as one of the pilot countries of the Plan – and seeks to both benefit and contribute to it in the interests of safety and security of journalists, media workers and media establishments in Pakistan.

6. The “International Friends of Pakistan Media Alliance on Safety” welcomes the establishment of the “Pakistan Coalition on Media Safety” (PCOMS) and supports its objectives of promoting a unified agenda of safety for journalists, media workers and media establishments in the country.

7. The “International Friends of Pakistan Media Alliance on Safety” agreed to coordinate and collaborate with groups and actors in Pakistan, including the Pakistan Coalition on Media Safety, collaboratively and individually, to support actions, development of resources, tools and mechanisms, to promote a unified agenda of safety and security of journalists, media workers and media establishments of Pakistan.

8. The “International Friends of Pakistan Media Alliance on Safety” will seek to coordinate networking, partnerships and collaborations, wherever possible, on their work in Pakistan to share support, experiences and resources, on the issue of promoting safety and security of journalists, media workers and media establishments in Pakistan, including among other things, sharing advocacy, research and trainings materials online, a strategy for which will be worked out later.

9. The “International Friends of Pakistan Media Alliance on Safety” will initially include as members Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Media Legal Defence Initiative (MLDI), Article IX, International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Freedom House (FH), International News Safety Institute (INSI), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), International Media Support (IMS), UNESCO, International Press Institute (IPI), Internews Network, International Federation of Freedom of Expression (IFEX), Amnesty International (AI), World Association of Newspapers (WAN-IFRA), Fojo Institute, Press Emblem Campaign (PEC). Membership will be open to any media support organization or group working in Pakistan or seeking to work here.

ISLAMABAD, March 6: International media support groups, representative from the UN organizations, Journalists unions and associations working on journalists’ safety and media freedom Wednesday gathered here in Islamabad and call upon Pakistani government for greater journalist’s protection and investigation and prosecution of the murderers of Journalists who had so far taken lives of more than 91 journalists in the country and hundreds are still under constant threats.

They also voiced concern on the government's weak resolve to combat impunity against journalists and urged it to act decisively to protect journalist, fight impunity and achieve justice. It was also noted that the high level of Impunity is the main cause encouraging crimes against media and putting the messengers’ lives in dangers. Unfortunately, so far, not a single journalist’s killer has been trialed and punished in Pakistan.

These were the apprehensions expressed by the media defense groups at the first day of the a two-day international conference conducted by Intermedia Pakistan, a national media support and development group—with the support from Foundation Open Society Foundation-Pakistan, International Media Support and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

The conference that was designed to highlight and raise awareness about a new UN Action Plan Against Impunity in five pilot countries including Pakistan, call for having a comprehensive approach towards safety, protection and combating impunity against journalists and also underlined the importance of safety trainings that focus on counter surveillance, movement and safety issues of journalists, especially in conflict areas.

Writing and reporting about the warring groups in Balochistan, tribal areas and parts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has almost impaired journalism due to certain serious threats pose to media persons and where the enemy is always unknown, said a speaker.

Weaknesses among the Pakistani journalists unions were pinpointed by the former secretary general of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Mazhar Abbas. He said, “We unions don’t follow the cases. Journalist Unions’ pressure on the government is also required, as most murder cases end up with the release of suspects.” He further said that militants in parts of Pakistan dictate what to cover and where to place the story even. We feel insecure in newsrooms and press clubs, because press cards are not being controlled. Citing a case, Abbas said that last year a terrorist was killed and a press card was recovered out of his pocket.

In Pakistan, prosecution failed to follow and solve the cases in which the suspects had been arrested, but latter freed due to weak prosecution.

Participants call for the systematic and long-term investigation into the journalists’ murder cases, as to bring the killers to task. The government should also put serious efforts behind this cause and also bring amendments to terrorism Act to protect media persons and address crimes against journalists.

Completion among journalists for the breaking of the news is also one of the main reasons for the journalists’ deaths in Pakistan. Political parties having militant groups are also been termed as one of the major enemies of journalists. It was feared that in coming elections, we may see such incidents of party workers attacks on media.

Criminal Justice system is not strong enough in Pakistan to go with impunity; because of the impunity problem journalists are vulnerable as the criminals think that the law will not reach them.

Guy Berger, Director for Freedom of Expression and Media Development at UNESCO said, “If a Journalist is killed, it is a very visible sign that rule of law is not there.” In Pakistan a staggering number of journalists and media workers killed while performing their professional duties.

According to the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) and other bodies striving for protecting journalists, Pakistan has been ranked third most dangerous place on the globe. This year three journalists killed in Quetta in January, another three in Sind, Balochistan and tribal areas very recently. Between 2007 and 2012, at least one journalist targeted every 28 days in Pakistan.

Pakistani journalists hold placards and banners during a protest rally against the killing of Mehmood Jan Afridi, who worked for the Urdu-language Intekhab daily in northwest Pakistan's Peshawar, on March 2, 2013. Unidentified gunmen shot dead a journalist on Friday in Balochistan - the third journalist killed in one week, PEC Representative in Islamabad Israr Khan reported

PAKISTAN, March 1, 2013: The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) has strongly condemned the killing of another Pakistani journalist Mr. Mehmood Jan Afridi in Southwestern Pakistan’s insurgency hit province of Balochistan on 1 March and expressed serious concern on the worse state of journalism in the country.

Mehmood Jan Afridi, 38, had worked for the Urdu-language The Daily Intekhab for the last two decades. He was also working with a television channel ‘News One’, According to Essa Tareen, President of the Balochistan who spoke to the PEC by phone.

Essa Tareen while condemning this incident and state of impunity told PEC, “Now, we are feeling shame to only condemn and demand for arrest of the killers of every journalist gets killed in the line of duty in the province, as we know the government is neither doing something for our protection nor even it had investigated a single case and brought the killers to justice.”

Tareen strongly condemned the incident and called on the government and law enforcement agencies to arrest the killers forthwith. Journalists are being targeted with impunity in Pakistan and the government has failed to check this “dangerous trend”.

According to police sources, Afridi was sitting in the evening at a Public Call Office in Kalat district which is about 145 kilometers south of provincial capital Quetta, when unidentified assailants fired at him and killed at the spot. Afridi was also president of the Kalat Press Club.

No one has claimed responsibility for the murder.

He was the third journalist killed in Pakistan in one week.

Since January 2013, 20 journalists have been killed round the world. In Pakistan, the number has reached 7 among which four have been killed in Balochistan province.

Pakistani Journalists are under threat, especially in terrorism-hit areas including Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Tribal areas bordering Afghanistan. Secessionist groups, religious militants and a weak government response have combined to make journalists in Pakistan victims of target killings.

“The government does just lip service and nothing else. We demand of the authorities to take concrete steps to curb the killings of journalists that are continuing unabated,” President of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Pervaiz Shaukat said.

PFUJ Secretary-General Amin Yousuf said Kalat, Khuzdar and Turbat are particularly dangerous for journalists, and most of the media persons who have been killed in Balochistan were based in these districts. The provincial government has failed to maintain law and order in Balochistan. We demand immediate protection of journalists who are being targeted with impunity,” Yousuf added.

Previously, the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) strongly condemned two Pakistani journalists’ killings during last three days in separate incidents, one in lawless Northwestern tribal region and another in Karachi city.

The PEC also expressed its deep concern over the unfortunate incident in Swat valley where three journalists survived attempt on their life as they were fired at outside Swat Press Club Tuesday night. Journalists Fayyaz Zafar, Shahzad Alam and Murad Ali said that they were on way to the press club after dinner when armed men traveling in a white car opened fire on them.

Swat, which was once the stronghold of militants, has been though cleared of militant after a full-fledged military operation, yet the incidents of target killing are continuing.

The PEC that fights for the protection of journalists round the globe said that attacks on journalists in Pakistan is alarmingly increasing. This unabated violence against the media in Pakistan is due to a history of uninvestigated incidents of journalists’ killings and where no culprit has been so far brought to justice. The watchdog urged the Pakistani government for an immediate investigation into these killings to identify the killers.

Malik Mumtaz, a senior journalist who was associated with the Jang group of newspapers and later with its Urdu language Geo television channel for the past two-decade was shot dead by unidentified attackers on Wednesday late afternoon in Miranshah, the main town of North Waziristan, bordering Afghanistan.

So far, no group has claimed responsibility. The Pakistani Taliban condemned the killing of Mumtaz who was recently elected the Chairperson of the Miranshah Press Club. He survived by his wife, two sons and daughter.

In another incident late night Monday, a senior Journalist Mr. Khushnood Ali Shaikh, who was the Chief Reporter of the state-run news agency the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) in its Karachi bureau was killed in a ‘dubious’ hit-and-run car accident when he was crossing a road near his home in Gulistan-e-Johar,Karachi.

The doubts shrouded Sheikh’s death because he got life threats from some extortionists that forced him to relocate himself and his family to Islamabad where he spent many weeks.

The PEC expressed it deep sorrow and grief over these killings of journalists and called the government for inquiry into these cases, as to bring culprits to task.

Meanwhile in a statement, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) secretary general Amin Yousuf and Chairman All Pakistan Newspapers Employees Confederation (ANPEC) Nasir Naqvi expressed its concern on this sad incident and demanded of the government, “A high-level committee should be set up to investigate Khushnood death so that the real cause could be established,”

In Karachi, extortion mafia has become so strong that even government and law enforcement agencies are helpless. Sheikh was also received a receipt of a million rupees (US$10,100) from this mafia.

The relatives of the deceased journalist are terming his death in a road accident as “target killing”. They say that since he recently built a new house in Karachi, then he has been receiving receipts of extortion money and threats. Resultantly, the journalist got himself transferred to Islamabad, but the threats not stopped.

Sheik had come to Karachi these days and on Monday he came out of his car to purchase milk when a speeding vehicle ran him over. Eyewitnesses denied it was an accident and said that the car had deliberately hit him. According to the people living in Johar area, building a house in the area is an extremely difficult task as the owner of a house gets extortion receipt as soon as the construction work begins.

While condemning the killings of journalists, senior television anchors and journalists said, “In Pakistan, there is no media law that provides for complete protection to the journalist community, as the country has become one of the most dangerous places for journalists. The government had totally failed to provide safety and protection to journalists.”

The PFUJ former secretary general Mazhar Abbas said, “The government’s performance in protecting journalists was regrettable.” President of the PFUJ, Pervaiz Shaukhat said, the government should find and punish those behind this attack.